PEOPLE are being urged to take care when driving through surface waters in Dorset – after firefighters were called to 15 incidents as Storm Chandra hit the county.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) has offered advice after being called to help more than a dozen incidents of people getting stuck between midnight and 10.30am today (January 27).

The warning comes as dozens of roads around Dorset and beyond see rising floodwaters in the aftermath of the storm, which hit the south west overnight.

Flooding has seen roads in the likes of Marnhull, Blandford and Dorchester closed amid heavy rainfall.

With more storms likely through the rest of the winter, a service spokesperson urged drivers recognise the dangers of surface water on the roads.

DWFRS area manager, Ant Bholah, said: “Very often, surface water doesn’t appear very deep but there can be unseen dips in the road which then catch drivers unaware.

“There is also a risk of drivers in larger vehicles driving through water without dropping their speed, which then creates a ‘bow wave’ effect – and this can cause significant risks for other vehicles.

“While this wet weather continues, please drive to the conditions and be particularly cautious at fords, where water levels can rise a lot in a short space of time.”

Advice from firefighters to drivers amid flooding:

• Wherever possible, don’t drive through standing water – as well as the water damaging your car, there may be hazards under the water you can’t see.
• If you see a sign to say that the road is closed due to flooding, remember the sign is there for a reason. Don’t try to drive through or you might get stuck.
• If you are driving a larger vehicle, do not go through flood water at speed as this creates a ‘bow wave’ that can then cause flooding to other vehicles or adjacent properties.
• When driving, if heavy rain is making visibility difficult, pull over if possible. Male sure your car lights are on.
• Remember that roads and pavements will be slippery during wet conditions.
• Don’t try and walk through floodwater that is above knee level, as the force of the water could easily knock you off your feet. There is also a danger of open manholes, trenches or other hazards that you can’t see.

Further advice about driving in adverse conditions can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/driving-in-adverse-conditions.