A RAFT of flood warnings urging immediate action remain in place across Dorset and the New Forest at the start of the year following the sodden festive period.

The Environment Agency is continuing to advise people to be cautious and prepared as river levels remain high and there is widespread groundwater flooding.

A total of 20 warnings are in place, with a further 12 alerts of potential flooding.

A warning expecting flooding and advising immediate action is in place for the Lower Avon area from Ringwood to Christchurch.

While forecasters are predicting largely dry weather, there is still a risk of flooding to properties, roads and farmland, according to the Environment Agency.

Areas most at risk are Bickerley, Ringwood and the B3347 from Christchurch to Stony Lane.

Fields around the Avon Causeway have been flooded for days.

Further warnings to take immediate action are in force at the Allen Vale for groundwater flooding, including around Wimborne.

The full list of current warnings where flooding is expected is as follows:

  • Curry Moor and Hay Moor
  • Groundwater flooding for the Bere Stream
  • Groundwater flooding for the Crane
  • Groundwater flooding for the Devils Brook
  • Groundwater flooding for the Ebble Valley
  • Groundwater flooding for the Gussage
  • Groundwater flooding for the Hooke
  • Groundwater flooding for the Iwerne
  • Groundwater flooding for the North Winterborne, north of the A354
  • Groundwater flooding for the North Winterborne, south of the A354
  • Groundwater flooding for the Piddle Valley
  • Groundwater flooding for the South Winterbourne Valley
  • Groundwater flooding for the Sydling
  • Groundwater flooding in the Allen Vale at Monkton Up Wimborne and Wimborne St Giles
  • Groundwater flooding in the Allen Vale at Sixpenny Handley
  • Groundwater flooding in the Cerne Valley
  • Groundwater flooding in the Cranborne Chase in West Hampshire - Damerham and Martin
  • Groundwater flooding in the Cranborne Chase in West Hampshire - Rockbourne
  • Groundwater flooding in the Lower Allen Vale
  • Lower Avon from Ringwood to Christchurch

Alerts where flooding is possible and people should be prepared is as follows:

  • Groundwater flooding in the Cranborne Chase area
  • Groundwater flooding in the Salisbury Plain area
  • Groundwater flooding in the West of Dorset
  • Lower Avon and tributaries
  • Lower Frome and tributaries
  • Lower Tone and Parrett Moors
  • Middle Avon and tributaries
  • River Ebble and tributaries
  • River Piddle and tributaries
  • River Wylye and tributaries
  • River Yeo and River Parrett Moors around Muchelney and Thorney
  • Weymouth Rivers and Streams