Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service is reiterating its warning about the dangers of driving through flood water.

A team from Sturminster Newton Fire Station was called to Lower Road in Stalbridge, near Bibbern Bridge after a vehicle was stuck in flood water on Saturday, January 30 at about noon. Fortunately there were no casualties.
The message from the fire service is – don’t drive through flood water.

Over recent years, we have seen more and more properties affected by flooding during periods of significant rain.  Flooding can be caused by rivers and watercourses overflowing; it can also be caused by drains and culverts being unable to cope with excess surface water on the roads.

The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service website dwfire.org.uk/safety/flooding has advice on flooding. When travelling in flooded areas the advice is:
Don’t drive through standing water – as well as the water damaging your car, there may be hazards under the water you can’t see. If you see a sign to say that the road is closed due to flooding, remember the sign is there for a reason. Don’t try to drive through or you might get stuck.

If you are driving a larger vehicle, do not go through flood water at speed as this creates a ‘bow wave’ that can then cause flooding to adjacent properties. When driving, if heavy rain is making visibility difficult, pull over if possible. Remember that roads will be slippery during wet conditions.

Don’t try and walk through floodwater that is above knee level, as the force of the water could easily knock you off your feet. There is also a danger of open manholes, trenches or other hazards that you can’t see.

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