Suffolk flooding leads to major incident being declared

Suffolk Resilience Forum said severe flooding - as pictured in Framlingham - had led to dangerous conditions

Residents have been urged to only travel if essential as Suffolk declared a major incident during Storm Babet.

Suffolk Resilience Forum said heavy rain had led to severe flooding which impacted schools, health and care provision and emergency services.

Chief fire officer Jon Lacey said driving conditions were "dangerous".

"Reducing non-essential travel means more people stay safe and pressure on emergency services is reduced," he added

"We are therefore asking people to travel only where it is absolutely essential - for example collecting a child from school, accessing medical treatment or returning home from work.

"Although the Suffolk Resilience Forum will continue to do all it can to help protect our county, everyone needs to take precautions to ensure they do not put themselves in danger.

"We are responding while monitoring the situation closely and while the rain is forecast to ease over the weekend - we must all take action to ensure lives are protected."

A flooded junction in Stradishall is among the areas affected

The Channel in Flowton near Ipswich is living up to its name

A major incident is called when the situation is believed to be beyond "business-as-usual" operations and when there is the heightened risk of serious harm, damage, disruption or threat to human life or welfare, the resilience forum said.

Reports from each Suffolk Resilience Forum agency - including the emergency services, councils and the Environment Agency - were considered before it was decided that the current situation meets the agreed threshold.

Special arrangements are now being implemented by one or more emergency responder agencies, it added.

The resilience forum said those who need to travel should:

• Keep alert for surface water

• Drive according to the conditions

• Keep headlights on and increase the distance from the vehicle in front

• Prepare to back off further if visibility gets worse

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