Hampshire flooding: Heavy rainfall leads to travel disruption

Four Environment Agency flood warnings are in place on the Isle of Wight

Cars have been left abandoned, roads closed and trains cancelled after heavy rainfall across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Thirty-seven Environment Agency flood warnings are in place in Hampshire, with a further four on the island.

Problems were exacerbated by saturated ground from rain and Storm Henk earlier in the week, the agency said.

The highest rainfall total recorded on Thursday was 35.2mm in the village of Otterbourne in Hampshire.

And rainfall totals of between 20 and 30mm were seen across much of southern England.

Hampshire County Council said the A339 from Kingsclere to Basingstoke had been closed due to flooding.

A spokesperson said: "Road conditions remain challenging across many parts of the county due to surface water and also deposited silt and stones, with some road closures remaining in place, particularly around the New Forest area.

"Drivers are reminded to take extra care, especially during darker hours."

Cars were left stranded at Poles Lane, near Otterbourne, on Friday morning

The county's fire service said it had responded to about 300 calls and warned drivers to find a different route if they come across flood water.

"Our advice is don't drive through standing water, if rain is heavy making visibility difficult slow right down and if you see a sign to say that the road is closed due to flooding, please turn around and find an alternative route," it said.

"If your vehicle becomes stuck in floodwater and you are trapped inside it, call the fire service for assistance and calls will be prioritised where there is a risk to life."

Eight vehicles were left stranded in water on the M27 motorway near Fareham on Thursday evening.

BBC Weather Watcher Yen Milne said the road looked "like a river".

There was also disruption on the trains and South Western and Great Western Railways warned people to check timetables before they travelled.

The White Swan in Mansbridge, Southampton has been forced to close after flooding

Staff at the White Swan in Mansbridge shared pictures of the closed pub on social media

The White Swan in Mansbridge, Southampton, was also flooded and forced to close.

Despite efforts to protect the pub, water still got in overnight with staff sharing photographs of the damage on their Facebook page.

In a statement, staff said: "We are unable to contact any bookings as we have lost our phone lines, internet connection along with hot water. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Eight vehicles were left stranded in water on the M27 motorway near Fareham

The Environment Agency said although the rain has stopped for now the risk of flooding will remain high for a few days.

It said across England more than 1,000 homes had been flooded.

Caroline Douglass, who oversees flood and coastal risk management for the agency, said the country is still dealing with the aftermath of Storm Henk, as well as heavy rains.

She said: "We have woken up to a very wet situation across the country."

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