Flood warnings as river levels climb

People living near rivers across Dorset are being urged to prepare for flooding as river levels climb following heavy rainfall brought by Storm Bert.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued warnings for areas including the Lower Dorset Frome, the River Stour, River Axe and Upper Frome.

There are currently 22 flood warnings in place.

Travel issues are set to continue with numerous roads still flooded and trains having to run at reduced speed on many lines.

The EA advises that if a flood warning is in place you should move your family and pets to a safe place and move your car or other vehicles to higher ground, if it is safe to do so, planning your driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue is urging drivers to take care on their commutes through Monday morning with many roads still affected by Sunday's heavy rain.

The fire service said: "Check your route before setting off. Don't drive through standing water - it may be a lot deeper than you think."

On Sunday a flock of 66 sheep was moved to safety by firefighters from Sturminster Newton Fire Station after becoming trapped by floodwater.

The sheep were found stranded in a field at Fifehead Magdalen near the River Stour.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said crews had to pull two sheep from the rising waters with the others moved further along the riverbank.

Yellow warnings of wind and rain were in place across the South over the weekend, with dozens of events cancelled because of the weather conditions.

In Hampshire a man died after a tree fell on a car on the A34 near Winchester, police have not confirmed if the incident was linked to Storm Bert.

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