More warnings as flooding expected to continue

Park home residents near the River Stour were rescued after severe flooding on Tuesday

Properties are still at risk of flooding across Hampshire and Dorset.

High winds and rainfall from Storm Bert and Storm Conall continue to cause major disruption to homes, roads and railways.

More rain is expected on Wednesday, but it will be "less severe" than earlier in the week, according to Environment Secretary Steve Reed.

The Environment Agency (EA) currently has 15 flood warnings in place in Hampshire, two on the Isle of Wight and 11 in Dorset.

An emergency rest centre was set up for people living in residential parks on Tuesday.

Fire crews were called to assist residents from Iford Bridge Home Park, Redhill and Wheatplot Home Park and Stour Park.

They are all based near the River Stour, where a flood warning remains in place.

Paddleboarder Suzanne Patterson said she had never seen the River Stour flowing quite so high and fast

Paddleboarder Suzanne Patterson visited the River Stour on Wednesday morning to assess the conditions.

Ms Patterson, who runs Dorset SUP Paddleboarding and organises group paddles on the river near Iford Bridge, said: "I wouldn't go near the river at the moment it's too dangerous.

"You can see the power of the water you've got no chance of paddling against that - I would not put myself in any danger - I'd leave well alone."

She added: "You don't know what is going on under the water - there are currents you can't see, you could get flipped off your board, you could get cold water shock, you could hurt yourself, you could get trapped.

"I have never seen this part of the river flowing quite so high - further down it's almost white water."

In Totton on the edge of the New Forest, small river, Bartley Water has breached its banks

Flooding: What are my rights if my home, car or work is affected?

A spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said 12 people and four dogs had been rescued and the service was working with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council to evacuate properties.

The local authority has set up the rest centre in Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre in Bournemouth.

The level of the River Stour is expected to continue rising with more heavy rain forecast, and the EA has advised people living nearby to move families, pets and vehicles to a safe place on higher ground.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has urged people not to visit its nature reserves as they were "struggling after the recent heavy rainfall and flooding is being experienced across our sites".

It said many including Blashford Lakes had been temporarily closed as they were not safe to reach and car parks had been left underwater.

Ellingham Drive which runs through Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve has been left impassable

On the Isle of Wight, flooding on the railway between Ryde St Johns Road and Ryde Pier Head has halted trains.

South Western Railway (SWR) said it expected services to be disrupted until the end of the day.

The train firm said rainfall had also deluged the line between Eastleigh and Botley.

Trains are unable to stop at Botley and Hedge End with travellers warned to expect delays and cancellations.

Due to heavy rain flooding the railway at St Denys trains are having to run at reduced speed on all lines.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service previously urged people not to drive through flood water.

In a statement, the service said: "It might look shallow, but the water is often deeper and faster-moving than it seems. It’s always safer to turn back and find another route."

An estimated 30 to 40mm (1.1 to 1.5in) of rain is expected across the south of England.

BBC South weather presenter, Alexis Green, said the south roughly sees around 90mm (3.5in) of rain for the whole of November, which means some areas have seen up to 80% of the monthly rainfall in the space of four days.

She added the Isle of Wight could see up to 50mm (1.96in) overnight.