Hampshire Under Flood Warning and Alerts Following Storm Bert

Heavy rainfall associated with Storm Bert has led to the implementation of a flood warning and multiple alerts across Hampshire. The Environment Agency (EA) issued a flood warning specifically for the stretch from Landford to Wade Bridge on the River Blackwater. Additionally, the agency issued alerts for various other locations, such as Lymington River, Mansbridge and Riverside Park, Monks Brook, and Romsey Tadburn Lake. As of now, only one flood warning remains active, covering Landford to Wade Bridge on the River Blackwater, with all other previously issued alerts having been withdrawn. Ongoing travel disruptions are anticipated, as numerous roads are impacted by flooding, and a significant number of train services are experiencing delays or cancellations because a fallen tree is obstructing the railway lines. The EA recommends that individuals subject to a flood warning relocate their family and pets to a secure area, and move their vehicles to elevated ground, provided it is safe to do so. They also advise planning driving routes to bypass low-lying roads adjacent to rivers, which could be submerged. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue appealed to drivers to exercise caution during their Monday morning commutes, given that numerous roads continue to be impacted by heavy rainfall. During the weekend, the team responded to an incident involving a fallen powerline that was obstructing Grange Road in Bursledon. They also addressed a powerline in Yateley that had fallen onto a tree, posing a potential fire hazard. Emergency crews from New Forest and Kingsclere responded to distinct incidents where they rescued individuals who became stranded in their vehicles after attempting to drive through floodwater. The fire service issued a statement advising: “Check your route before setting off. Don’t drive through standing water – it may be a lot deeper than you think.” Great Western Railway (GWR) halted train services across all its primary routes due to flooding and a fallen tree that obstructed access to critical points within its network. A spokesperson for GWR stated: “We’ve sorry for the disruption to journeys. Network Rail and GWR teams are working hard across the network and will carry out inspections to reopen lines as quickly as possible.” Commuters have been advised to avoid travel today, as the disruptions are projected to persist until the close of Monday. Over the weekend, yellow warnings for wind and rain were active throughout the south of England, resulting in the cancellation of numerous events due to the prevailing weather conditions. An individual passed away when a tree struck a car on the A34 close to Winchester; however, police have not yet verified any connection between this incident and Storm Bert. For updates, you can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Further information on our external linking policy is available.