A MAJOR mopping up operation was underway today after floods wreaked havoc in south and west Dorset.

Rescuers faced more than 200 emergencies as a month’s worth of rain fell in just 24 hours with water swamping homes, businesses, towns and villages.

The misery came as torrential downpours battered the county on Saturday – with emergency services warning that some people were lucky to be alive.

Families were evacuated from homes and communities were cut off as roads became impassable under many feet of water – and remained so into Sunday and today.

Radipole Lake burst its banks and flooded nearby car parks – including the park and ride car point for the Olympics – as well as roads. Radipole Park Drive was closed and the area around the Gurkha restaurant was under water.

A couple had to be rescued from the roof of their car at Litton Cheney by coastguard helicopter and two girls were rescued from being swept away by torrents of water at the River Brit near Palmers Brewery in South Street.

Firefighters in Bridport also rescued people from their car, including an elderly couple at Burton Bradstock.

A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said that they had dealt with more than 200 emergencies while police faced more than 100 incidents.

The mopping up operation was underway today but many places were still under water and emergency services warned people not to take any risks.

Chief Superintendent David Griffith of Dorset Police said: “We advise motorists to exercise caution while driving and to show concern for other road users and nearby properties.”

He added: “Between midnight and 6pm in the afternoon on Saturday, Dorset Police dealt with in excess of 100 weather-related incidents while maintaining service to around 380 other non-flood related incidents.”

Homes in the Park District in Weymouth, Maiden Newton and Charmouth were among those flooded. The Environment Agency placed Dorset and the South West on severe flood alert on Saturday.

It issued severe flood warnings for several rivers during the course of the weekend, including the Wey in Weymouth and Upwey as well as the Bride, the Brit and Asker in Bridport and west Dorset.

Community come together to help

RESIDENTS in Weymouth’s Park district filled pillow cases and bin liners with sand as the community joined forces to help those most affected.

Several feet of water surged down Hardwick Street, Chelmsford Street, Brownlow Street and Walpole Street on Saturday.

Elderly residents took shelter in the community hall on Chelmsford Street as younger volunteers flocked to the beach to get sand.

Naomi Dickson, who is visiting relatives in the area, made repeat journeys to the seafront, returning with sandbags and wading through two feet of water to hand them out.

She said: “We had about 20 people on the beach, using their hands to collect sand because we didn’t even have spades.”

Joe Ward, of Brownlow Street, said two neighbours he has never spoken to before brought him sandbags to protect his home.

No one at the borough council was available for comment.