Flooding brings chaos across Dorset and the New Forest

Firefighters attended multiple incidents involving cars stuck in floodwater with drivers urged not to take the risk. 

Two people were trapped in their car in floodwater at Greywell in Christchurch at 5.26am with two crews from Christchurch bringing the occupants to safety.

Read more: Workers tell of moment flooding hit as 23 rescued

Flooding at the Bakers Arms Roundabout. Picture: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. (Image: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service)

Firefighters also pushed a car to safety after it became stuck at the Bakers Arms Roundabout at 5.49am.

Flooding in Matchams Lane (Image: Newsquest)

Matchams Lane, A341 Magna Road and the B3075 between Wareham and Stoborough were among the roads closed along with Stony Lane. 

Flooding in Sturminster Marshall. Picture by Cath Parslow. (Image: Cath Parslow)

Rail passengers faced major disruption due to a track circuit failure in the New Milton area caused by flooding with lines blocked between Bournemouth and Brockenhurst.

Read more: Driver forced to abandon car in floodwater as heavy rain causes major issues

South Western Railway urged people not to travel between Weymouth and Basingstoke.

There were also issues between Brockenhurst and Lymington Pier.

A total of 37 flood warnings were in force across Dorset including groundwater flooding for the Bere Stream at Bere Regis and Lower Frome from East Stoke to Wareham.

Ahead of the flooding issues, snow was seen falling across parts of Dorset in the early hours of Monday morning.

Temperatures are now expected to plummet over the next few days with a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) activated to support rough sleepers across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The emergency response was activated by homeless charity St Mungo’s in partnership with BCP Council on Monday, January 16.

Read more: Met Office issues severe cold weather alert for Dorset

It is expected to be in place for four nights with the Met Office forecasting a ‘feels like’ temperature of minus 7C on Tuesday morning.

For the duration of the severe weather response, additional accommodation and support will be made available across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Read more: Emergency response to help rough sleepers as temperatures plummet

Andrew Teale, St Mungo’s outreach manager for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, said: “We know that sleeping rough is dangerous all year round, but freezing temperatures can pose a risk to life. With temperatures due to go below zero degrees overnight we have activated our severe weather response in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.”

Read more: 'Huge' landslide causes 'major' train disruption across Dorset and Hampshire

Councillor Karen Rampton, BCP Council portfolio holder for people and homes, said: “Over the next few days severe weather conditions could really impact the safety and wellbeing of people who are sleeping rough.”

Members of the public who sees someone sleeping rough in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole can call 01202 315962 or email B&Pstreetoutreach@mungos.org.