Norfolk fire service declare flash floods a 'major incident'

Flash flooding has hit hundreds of homes across parts of Norfolk after hours of heavy rain.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said it had taken more than 300 flood-related calls since Wednesday afternoon.

The service has declared the flooding, which has primarily affected the south of the county, a major incident.

The fire service warned low-lying areas were likely to remain flooded and said it expected traffic disruption for the rest of Thursday.

Widespread downpours have also affected other areas across the east of England.

"We don't declare a major incident very often but we had so many calls coming in," said Tim Edwards of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.

Mr Edwards said the peak was at about 23:00 GMT on Wednesday with most of the calls about flooded buildings and people attempting to drive through deep water.

"Absolutely avoid anywhere where there is flood water. It's very difficult to know exact depths. Do not enter flooded water at any point," he said.

Norfolk Police were forced to close the A11 near Thetford and the A47 at Easton to Honingham.

Police were only allowing traffic through the A140 at Long Stratton at intervals. A welfare centre set up at the local leisure centre had to be relocated after the building itself came under threat from the water.

The A146 was blocked on Thursday morning at several points in south Norfolk, including Yelverton.

One resident in Great Moulton said she was still surrounded by about 8in (20cm) of water around her bungalow.

"Fortunately my front door is a bit higher than the drain level," she said. "I've lived here 48 years and never seen anything like this - it's pretty dire."

Meanwhile seven flood warnings have been issued for the county.

Paul Burrows from the Environment Agency said several rivers had "tripped into flood warning status", but said levels were stabilising with the forecast "not too bad for the next few days".

Weatherquest meteorologist Dan Holley said the extreme weather was due to a band of heavy rain over parts of the Midlands and East Anglia on Wednesday

Some places received "over 50mm (1.96in) of rain - a month's worth in just 24 hours", he added.

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