Fire crews use boat to rescue elderly people

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's specialist Water Support Unit used a RIB to rescue two elderly people, a cat and a dog who were cut off by about 50 feet of fast-flowing water '“ four feet deep in areas - which separated firefighters from the properties.

Flood warnings which were in force for the river Rother around Midhurst have been reduced this morning but a risk status has been given to the Aldingbourne Rife north and west of Bognor, Pagham Rife and some other streams in the west of West Sussex.

CURRENT ENVIRONMENT AGENCY INFORMATION

Flood Warning

The River Arun from Horsham to the A272 at Billingshurst including Broadbridge Heath;

The River Rother Area

Flood Watch

Aldingbourne and Barnham Rifes

Elbridge, Lidsey, Aldingbourne, Barnham, Yapton and Ryebank Rifes

Broad and Pagham Rifes

The Broad, Keynor, Bremere, Forebridge and Pagham Rifes

Lower Arun

The Rivers Arun, Chilt, Stor, Black Ditch and Tortington Stream

Loxwood Stream

The Loxwood Stream in West Sussex from Chiddingfold to Drungewick

With further heavy rain expected through the fire service gave the following safety messages:

Motorists should not attempt to drive through flooded roads or fords. The water is often deeper than it looks and may be moving quite fast. Most fords do have level markers and motorist should refer to these before attempting to cross, if it is too deep then find an alternative route.

Do not attempt to walk through flooded areas. Even shallow water moving fast can sweep you off your feet and there may be hidden dangers such as open drains, damaged road surfaces, submerged debris or deep channels; these can cause serious injuries or even death.

Children should not be allowed to play in flood water, which can become contaminated with sewerage and chemicals.

Do not smoke, eat or drink whilst in contact with floodwater and always wash your hands afterwards.

Keep an eye on weather reports on local television or radio news channels. Do not travel in heavy rain storms unless absolutely necessary.

Look after neighbours. People have been known to suffer from hypothermia after their homes have become flooded with cold rainwater even in the summer time.

Remember that during a storm the emergency services will be very busy, only call for immediate assistance if there is a risk to life or serious property or environmental damage. Householders who do suffer general domestic flooding are asked to contact their insurance companies and not the fire service.

Following a flood in your home, make sure all electrical circuits are fully dried out and checked by an electrical engineer before switching back on.

Click here to send us your flood photos with captions.

To link to the Environment Department website click here http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/floodwarning/