Floods spark huge 999 operation

RESCUE: Firefighters at Maiden Newton RESCUE: Firefighters at Maiden Newton

FIREFIGHTERS faced more than 200 emergencies at the height of the flooding.

Police dealt with more than 100 incidents.

Officers were called as torrential rain wreaked havoc on homes, businesses and roads.

Police and coastguards were also called into action as the misery continued throughout the day and into the morning.

A couple had to be airlifted from their car by coastguard helicopter at Litton Cheney.

The mopping up was underway today but emergency crews have warned people that the danger has not subsided.

Many areas are still under water and people are being urged not to take any risks.

Chief Superintendent David Griffith said: “We advise motorists to exercise caution while driving and to show concern for other road users and nearby properties.

“Consideration should be given to the depth of the water. Do not take risks driving through flood waters.

“This is not just important for motorists’ own vehicles but also in view of other people’s property as the spray caused by driving through deep water can lead to waves, flooding adjacent properties and vehicles.

“The multi-agency resilience forum will continue to monitor the situation overnight.

“Today, between midnight and 6pm in the afternoon, Dorset Police dealt with in excess of 100 weather related incidents while maintaining service to around 380 other non flood related incidents.”

Were your rescued by the emergency services? Call the newsdesk on 01305 830999 or email newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk.

Email your pictures to newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk.

Comments(10)

snowleopard says...
9:33am Sun 8 Jul 12

Another reason to retain Portland SAR as flooding anywhere including more inland needs even more local knowledge and not just coastal.

annotator1 says...
10:11am Sun 8 Jul 12

Quite agree Snowleopard. Local knowledge is worth more than a map given to a rescuer who has no idea where say the bottom of Duck Ally is in Radipole or doesn't realize there is more than one Icen Road near Weymouth. How many people know what the post code is where they are staying on holiday during an emergency? and how many locals know land marks! Better than any GPS

ijwufo68 says...
11:02am Sun 8 Jul 12

Well said to the 2 people above Portland SAR know the area and waters, it needs to stay!

rjimmer says...
1:04pm Sun 8 Jul 12

annotator1 wrote:
Quite agree Snowleopard. Local knowledge is worth more than a map given to a rescuer who has no idea where say the bottom of Duck Ally is in Radipole or doesn't realize there is more than one Icen Road near Weymouth. How many people know what the post code is where they are staying on holiday during an emergency? and how many locals know land marks! Better than any GPS
Ah, Duck Alley, the road that was resurfaced a few years ago and the jumped-up labourer who appeared to be in charge decided to tarmac over the road gully gratings instead of getting to drainage system sorted. I see the RSPB hut at Radipole Lake might be flooded this morning. The same RSPB that paid £1 a year rent and insist on keeping the lake water levels artificially high in summer and low in winter. What goes around, comes around.

IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE says...
1:58pm Sun 8 Jul 12

I don't understand why sluice gates were not opened to allow overflow into the harbour (or are they bust due to lack of maintenance (a la ferry terminal)?
According to the BBC local website, the car park is an Olympic Sailing site. Is there no limit to the parts of Weymouth that Coe n co. will take over for their 'yottie' friends to disport themselves (or 'shock', 'horror' has the BBC got it slightly wrong?).

simon26r says...
4:24pm Sun 8 Jul 12

try looking at youtube
http://youtu.be/WMHD
OJxVW4g
why would the echo report anything until monday when the next paper comes out ???

IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE says...
5:27pm Sun 8 Jul 12

simon26r
That youtube link didn't work for me when I took out the full stop, can you put * in the link to break it up please.

I'mavoter says...
6:40pm Sun 8 Jul 12

BaileyCat wrote:
Why has it taken Dorset Echo so long to report on the horror of yesterday?
Could it be that it's the weekend and most reporters are not at work ? Come on it's not rocket science.

gerbil112 says...
8:04pm Sun 8 Jul 12

annotator1 wrote:
Quite agree Snowleopard. Local knowledge is worth more than a map given to a rescuer who has no idea where say the bottom of Duck Ally is in Radipole or doesn't realize there is more than one Icen Road near Weymouth. How many people know what the post code is where they are staying on holiday during an emergency? and how many locals know land marks! Better than any GPS
I agree that local knowledge can be of benefit to a rescuer however even with local knowledge, if there are two Icen Roads, the recuers will still not know which one to go to unless the caller is more specific. If also you are suggesting that not many locals know landmarks, how can they direct rescuers??

BaileyCat says...
10:22am Mon 9 Jul 12

I'mavoter wrote:
BaileyCat wrote:
Why has it taken Dorset Echo so long to report on the horror of yesterday?
Could it be that it's the weekend and most reporters are not at work ? Come on it's not rocket science.
I thought news reporting was a 24 hour job! Under the circumstances locals were looking to the echo for information. Mine wasn't the only remark about the lack of info!

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