Flood alerts have been put in place across Dorset.

High groundwater levels continue to add further to river flow to these rivers and with the increased heavy rainfall today, flood alerts have been put in place.

Following a large amount of heavy rain since the New Year, borehole levels have started to rise once again, and the agency warn that groundwater levels will respond very quickly under the current very wet surface conditions.

Groundwater flood alerts have also been put in place for areas of Bridport, Chideock, Martinstown, Milborne St. Andrew, Nottington, Piddlehinton, Piddletrenthide, Upwey, Winterborne Abbas, Winterborne Kingston, Winterborne Steepleton, Winterborne Stickland, Winterborne Whitechurch and Winterborne Zelston.

People should ensure that ‘any property level resilience measures such as pumps, flood barriers and air brick covers are in good conditions and replace any stocks of sandbags.’

Motorists are also advised to ‘avoid driving through flood water as the bow wave from vehicles can damage nearby properties.’