West Dorset hit by flooding after weather warnings

The River Lim became a fast-flowing torrent, and Barrowland Lane in Toller Porcorum became impassable. 

The road beneath the bridge, which has a history of flooding  saw a metre of water. It was the same spot a taxi became stuck in rising waters back in October.

Firefighters from Bridport and Charmouth were called to a person trapped in floodwater in Whitchurch Canonicorum just before 1pm. They arrived to find the person sitting on the roof of their car for safety. 

The person was rescued and unharmed, according to the fire service. 

Kelvin Bird, local to the area, told of heavy flooding around the River Asker and St Mary's Field.

After recording a video, Mr Bird said: "Palmer's Bridge and St Mary's Field has been affected. The overgrowth in the middle of the river is where the actual river bank is."

After recording a video, Mr Bird said: "Palmer's Bridge and St Mary's Field has been affected. The overgrowth in the middle of the river is where the actual river bank is."

Sharin Trevelyan sent in this picture of flooding near Stratton on the A37. 

North Allington, Bridport, became treacherous for drivers to pass and, further north, the A37 near Bradford Peverell was submerged.

One local described their journey through the county ‘terrible,’ with bad flooding witnessed towards Weymouth, particularly around Burton Bradstock and Winterbourne Abbas.

A yellow weather warning from the Met Office was in place today.

The Environment Agency also issued flood warnings for all west Dorset rivers. The warnings will remain in place tomorrow. 

Burton Bradstock is particularly at risk, with High Street, Mill Street, Manor Farm and The Rookery on alert. 

Bridelands and Lower Farm in Long Bredy, Bride Valley Nursery in Litton Cheney and Water Lane Fish Farm in Swyre remain vulnerable due to extremely high water levels along the River Bride. 

Flood warnings were also put in place for the River Brit around the area of Bridport Football Club.

Areas near the River Winniford also received a warning due to the heavy rainfall, with North Chideock, Fairfax and Main Street Chideock.

Further westwards along the coast, flooding is expected from the River Char at Dolphins River Caravan Park and the Street in Charmouth including Catherston Cottages due to the heavy rain.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency issued advice if there are plans to travel: “Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water.”

The spokesperson added that they are encouraging people to start acting on flood plans.