Environment Agency warns of flooding in New Forest and Christchurch due to rising levels in Lymington River, Bartley Water, River Blackwater and Lower Avon after Storm Conall

FLOODING across the New Forest and Christchurch is expected today after Storm Conall brought heavy rainfall and rising water levels.

The Environment Agency has issued a raft of flood alerts and warnings across the area, and says staff are on hand to ensure rivers are kept clear of reported blockages.

An alert for Lymington River states the water level is “high and rising”, with 33mm of rain recorded in Brockenhurst in the past nine hours.

This morning, drainage ditches through the Forest are expected to flood land and roads, including at Balmer Lawn, with the river itself unlikely to peak until 3pm, when it will impact gardens.

The alert adds: “We continue to monitor the forecast and will ensure the river remains free of any reported blockages.

“Watersplashes will deepen over the next 24 hours – do not drive through floodwater. If you live near the river, please ensure you can protect property if required.”

An alert for Bartley Water states the water level is also high and rising at Ashurst Bridge and Woodlands Road, near to Hazel Grove. In the last 10 hours, 32mm – half a month’s worth of rain – has been recorded in Testwood.

It adds: “This is a large amount in a short period of time, especially when it follows a wet weekend. From Wednesday morning out of bank flooding will affect land, roads and gardens at Woodlands and Ashurst. The depth of water in roads at Ashurst could be significant.

“Impacts are not expected at Totton, Rumbridge or Eling. The river should peak around 11am and will remain high for at least an hour before it finally begins to fall.”

The River Blackwater at Ower and Cadnam could flood areas of land, roads and a small number of properties with the arrival of further heavy rain expected later.

However, as the weather will be dry from Thursday to Saturday, any flood impacts which do occur will be relatively short term in nature.

Bransgore residents were warned to take extra care travelling along Lyndhurst Road near the Cat and Fiddle which was described as being flooded in places “that have not flooded before”.

A flood warning for the Lower Avon says areas between Ringwood and Christchurch will be affected by rising river levels, with Bickerley and the B3347 from Christchurch to Stony Lane most at risk.

It adds further flooding is expected throughout the afternoon as river levels are high and forecast to rise further due to heavy rainfall.

The EA is urging residents to move their families, pets and cars to safety, as well as turning off gas, electricity and water supplies if it is safe to do so.

It adds: “Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water – 30cm of fast-flowing water can move a car and six inches can knock an adult off their feet.”

An alert for the Lower Stour warns area most at risk include tributaries between Wimborne and Christchurch.

As a further 10-15mm of rainfall is forecast overnight, the agency says it is monitoring rainfall and river levels and liaising with emergency services and local authorities.

A flood warning for Middle Hampshire Avon from Salisbury to Ringwood states levels are slowly starting to fall after the weekend’s rainfall, but flooding is expected to affect low-lying land and roads, particularly south of the A36 at Salisbury to Blashford in Ringwood, including Charlton All Saints, Breamore, Fordingbridge and Bickton.

With 10-15mm of rainfall forecast for tonight, residents are advised to act now if they have a flood plan.

A similar warning has also been released for the Lower Stour from Sturminster Marshall to Christchurch.

While river levels are very slowly falling at the Throop and Iford gauges, flooding is expected to affect areas of low-lying land, roads and farms including Barrack Road and Willow Way in Christchurch.

Weather conditions are expected to be dry today, with between 10-15mm of rain expected overnight tonight, which may mean river levels remain above the flood warning threshold for some time, it says.

Meanwhile firefighters rescued 12 people and four dogs from flooded park homes near Christchurch after the Stour burst its banks.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said a wading crew and a support vehicle were sent at 9.20am to Iford Bridge Residential Park, where some residents had chosen to stay in their homes overnight despite flood warnings.

A council emergency rest centre has been set up for the residents, as well as people from two other park home sites along the river.

Mains power at the residential park was turned off at 11.30om on Monday, with residents urged to prepare for flooding and pack an overnight bag.

BCP Council said some people had chosen to stay in their homes.

Andy Hadley, the council’s cabinet member for climate response, said: “Residents will be able to access the rest centre where there will be further support to ensure that they have somewhere safe and warm to stay until it is safe to return to their homes.

“We will continue to support residents today and in the coming days.”