Dorset Residents Ordered to Evacuate as Severe Flood Warning Issued
Residents at a home park in Dorset have been instructed to leave their properties "as quickly as possible" after the Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning on Wednesday morning. The alert, which indicates danger to life, comes as water levels on the River Stour continue to rise due to the ongoing impact of Storm Chandra.
Immediate Danger at Iford Bridge Home Park
The Environment Agency has warned that severe flooding is expected at Iford Bridge Home Park near Christchurch, Dorset, with floodwater anticipated to be deep and fast flowing. The agency stated that flooding is expected on January 28, 2026, and river levels are rising rapidly, necessitating immediate evacuation.
Residents have been advised to:
- Pack a bag with essential items such as medications
- Prepare to be away from their properties overnight
- Move family, pets, and cars to safety
- Turn off gas, electricity, and water if safe to do so
Staff from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) are on site alongside emergency services to assist with the evacuation. The home park contains approximately 80 properties, and power to the site is expected to be impacted by the flooding.
River Levels Expected to Peak
The Environment Agency has indicated that river levels are forecast to peak at 3.66 metres at approximately 2pm on Wednesday. This significant rise has prompted urgent action to protect residents from the imminent threat.
One resident, Martin Sadler, who was among those evacuated, shared his experience with the Press Association. He recalled previous flooding in 2013 when his home was affected, noting that homes had subsequently been raised by about 65 centimetres. While he expressed confidence in the structural safety of his property, he acknowledged the challenges of being without electricity, stating, "I think they are turning the electricity off, and so that's a bit difficult to be comfortable without that." He added that he left before conditions became too risky.
Wider Impact of Storm Chandra Across the UK
Storm Chandra has caused widespread disruption and flooding across multiple regions of the United Kingdom. On Tuesday, Somerset Council declared a major incident after an estimated 50 properties were affected by flooding in areas including Ilminster, West Coker, Taunton, Mudford, and West Camel.
Council leader Bill Revans emphasised the ongoing challenges, stating, "The weather forecast remains challenging so we will be working with colleagues in the emergency services to ensure we are prepared should the situation continue to deteriorate."
The storm has led to:
- Multiple road closures across Somerset due to flooding, a landslip, and fallen trees
- Eight schools closed in Somerset, with nine closures reported overall due to weather conditions
- Disruption to rail services in Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset as a result of flooding
In Devon, Storm Ingrid—a separate weather system—caused a large sinkhole measuring eight metres by 3.5 metres to appear near the railway line between Dawlish and Teignmouth. This has necessitated overnight closure of the line between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot on Wednesday for repairs.
Current Flood Warnings and Alerts
As of Wednesday morning, the Environment Agency had issued:
- 87 flood warnings (where flooding is expected) across England
- 215 flood alerts (where flooding is possible) across England
In Wales, there were nine flood alerts, while Scotland had eight flood warnings and three flood alerts. Although no Met Office weather warnings were in place on Wednesday, yellow warnings for rain have been issued for the South West of England on Thursday.
Calls for Improved Emergency Response Framework
The National Fire Chiefs Council has raised concerns that the flood risk in England is increasing faster than the current legal and funding framework can support. Council chairman Phil Garrigan has called on the Government to consult on establishing a statutory duty for fire and rescue services in England to respond to flooding incidents that pose a risk to life.
Garrigan stated, "Firefighters routinely carry out water rescues, evacuate residents and support communities during major flooding events, and they will continue to do so because that is what the public rightly expects. But as climate change drives more frequent and severe flooding, it is no longer credible for this life-saving work to sit outside a clear statutory framework."
He emphasised that England faces growing exposure to flood risk, yet fire and rescue services are responding without the legal clarity or funding available elsewhere in the UK.
Storm Chandra is the latest named storm from the western Europe storm naming group list, which is shared between the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The ongoing severe weather highlights the increasing challenges posed by extreme climate events across the region.
