South hit by floods after heavy rainfall
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Listen to your BBC Local radio station for live updates across the region: Radio Solent, Radio Berkshire, Radio Oxford and Breakfast in Dorset.
Live Reporting
Stephen Stafford, Curtis Lancaster, Dan Kerins and Toby Wadey
All times stated are UK
Emergency plan activated in Weymouth
Some roads in Dorset had to be closed after becoming impassable, including the main road through Nottington on the outskirts of Weymouth.
The severe rainfall and surface water experienced meant the town council activated its Community Emergency Plan, with sandbags available for whoever needed them.
One person whose car became stranded in floodwater had to be towed out and there has been flooding to some properties on Portland.
In Swanage, Shore Road has been closed due to damage to drainage systems caused by flooding, at Ulwell Road.
Scores of flood alerts and warnings in place
More than 150 flood alerts and warnings are still in place across the south of England.
Heavy rain yesterday and overnight on already saturated ground turned roads into rivers, leading to major disruption across the south.
The Environment Agency says although the rain may have stopped for now the risk of flooding will remain high for a few days and is warning people to be aware of the dangers.
The agency's map with live flood alerts and warnings is available here.
Weather forecast for Friday
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Road closures in place due to flooding
National Highways says a number of main roads are either closed or partially closed due to flooding.
These closures are likely to remain in place until water levels drop and clear-ups are undertaken.
The roads currently affected are:
Watch: High water levels at the Oracle in Reading
This video sent back by BBC reporter Maisie Marston last night shows just how high water levels were getting at the riverside area of the Oracle shopping centre in Reading.
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Rail disruption expected to continue
Rail operator GWR says disruption is expected until at least midday on Friday as trains and staff are in the wrong place following last night's disruption.
A fatality on the line near Reading meant the line to Paddington was shut for a time. GWR had earlier advised people to travel early as forecast heavy rain raised the risk of flooding
Flooding also stopped trains running between Reading and Basingstoke, but that route has now fully re-opened.
Flooding alerts remain in place across region
Flood alerts and warnings remain in place after the region was deluged by rain overnight.
A Met Office yellow warning for rain covering the south of England expired at 03:00 GMT.
But disruption is expected to continue with the ground still sodden following Storm Henk earlier in the week.
'High number of calls' say police
Hampshire Constabulary is dealing with a large number of emergency calls as a result of the weather.
In a statement, the force says: "There are closures on a number of major roads including on the M27 between junctions 7 and 5, the M3 entrance southbound at junction 3 and the A31.
"We are also aware of traffic issues on the A272 and A31 between Winchester and East Hampshire, and have received reports across the county of vehicles travelling through fords and becoming stuck."
Flood barriers installed to save homes
In Oxfordshire, the Environment Agency installed temporary flood barriers on Thursday in an attempt to protect about 20 homes and properties.
They were erected in South Hinksey.
Rural lanes left almost impassable
Roads near Ringwood in the New Forest have been left under deep water following the heavy rainfall throughout Thursday.
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Hannah Rycroft took these videos of Streets Lane, Crow, Ringwood, which show just how deep the water is.
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Flooding at the Oracle in Reading
BBC reporter Maisie Marston has sent in these images that show the extent of flooding at the Oracle shopping centre in Reading.
Cars stuck under motorway bridge
Police in Hampshire reported eight vehicles were left stranded in "thigh-high" flood-water under junction 10 of the M27 in Fareham
The junction and spur road had to be closed.
BreakingTrain passengers told 'not to travel'
Great Western Railway says it is experiencing significant disruption on its network.
Flooding has closed several routes and a person has been hit by a train near Reading.
Disruption is expected to last all night and people have been warned they may not be able to complete their journey.
South is facing the worst of the rain
The worst is currently in the south of England where the “rain really has been coming down hard and fast”, says BBC Weather presenter Ben Rich.
He says Bournemouth has seen 10mm within an hour, which is likely to cause travel disruption.
The BBC weather centre says the worst is due to move through this evening towards the east, across East Anglia, East Midlands and parts of Lincolnshire and the south-east.
Car park 'shouldn't have been built on floodplain'
Two handlebars and a saddle were the only signs of life for a bike spotted in ocean-like water at the Seacourt Park and Ride extension on Botley Road in Oxford, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
It comes as other floods wreaked havoc across the city with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for Thursday and Friday.
City councillor Lois Muddiman, of the Osney and St Thomas ward, said: “It flooded four times last year in January, April, October and November.
“It should never have been built in the floodplain.” The extension part of the car park was completed in April 2021 to accommodate 595 extra cars.
Flood warnings across Oxfordshire
The county council has urged people to keep up to date with the latest weather situation on its website.
Island routes also hit by flooding
On the Isle of Wight, there have been delays between Newport and Cowes due to flooding.
The Isle of Wight County Press reports Fairlee Road has been flooded and is causing problems for anyone travelling along that route.
Coaches cancelled across Hampshire
Travel firm Stagecoach is reporting a number of issues with its services due to road closures and flooding.
On X (formerly known as Twitter), the firm says some services that serve areas such as Hedge End, Winchester, Alton and Basingstoke are currently unable to run.
More details can be found on their social media accounts.
'Do not drive through floodwater' warns council
Earlier on Thursday, Oxford City Council warned residents of rising water levels and to not attempt tto drive through flood water.
Vehicles stranded in flooded Oxford car park