FLOODING caused disruption to commuters across Dorset during yesterday morning’s rush-hour.

Heavy rain and strong winds overnight on Tuesday caused a series of road closures across the county.

Residents reported various issues and delays as the weather failed to improve.

Some of the main areas hit by the stormy conditions included:

  • Stapehill Road in Wimborne was shut yesterday morning due to deep floodwater. A Ford Fiesta became stuck in the water and had to be recovered, while residents waded through knee-high waters. There were also issues with nearby Ham Lane partially blocked due to standing water in the road.
  • Magna Road in Poole, Penny Lane in Cranborne and Queen Anne Drive westbound were affected, with traffic delays.
  • Blandford Road in Hamworthy also experienced severe flooding by the entrance to Turlin Moor and close to the Lidl store. Problems persisted into the afternoon. Police were made aware at 6.10am with the issue passed over to the local authority. A BCP Council spokesperson said yesterday: “There is lots of surface water on the road between Turlin Road and Blandford Road that is causing delays. Despite high tides, the water is slowly dispersing and the road is still open. Advice is to proceed with caution.”
  • Elsewhere, Sopley Primary School in Christchurch was closed for the day due to flooding in the lanes around the school.
  • At Christchurch Quay, water levels subsided as the morning went on and floods retreated, with branches and reeds being left behind on the Quomps.
  • In the New Forest, five people and a dog were rescued after vehicles became stuck in floodwater in Bransgore. Three fire crews were called to Derritt Lane at 12.34pm where three vehicles had become stuck. The rescue involved the wading team and a dinghy.

A host of flood warnings and alerts issued by the Environment Agency remained in force across Dorset including for the Lower Avon from Ringwood to Christchurch and Lower Frome from East Stoke to Wareham.

Flood alerts were in place for Christchurch Harbour, the east coast of Dorset, the Lower Avon and tributaries, Cranborne Chase area and Purbeck Rivers and Streams.

The Met Office had issued weather warnings for strong winds accompanied by heavy rain between midday and just before midnight.

Christchurch Quay and Mudeford Quay also saw flooding during high tide late on Tuesday evening.

The inclement weather came the day after Storm Brendan – named by the Irish Met Office – caused major disruption across the UK.

Forecasters are expecting winds to remain high today, with gusts of 50mph expected in the afternoon, alongside heavy downpours in places.