Live: Sussex on flood alert (From The Argus)

Live: Sussex on flood alert

6:36am Tuesday 12th June 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway , Local government reporter

Sussex is on flood alert after a month's worth of rain fell in just 12 hours - with experts warning of more to come.

The deluge forced people out of their flooded homes while animals stranded in fields resembling rivers had to be rescued.

Officials warned residents in the worst hit areas to prepare as rain continues to fall today into the county's swollen rivers.

As of 4.10pm, two flood warnings were in place at Aldingbourne Rife at Bersted and Felpham. Less urgent flood alerts were in place at:

• Upper Arun
• Lower Arun
• Barnham Rife and Aldingbourne Rife at Barnham and Yapton,
• Bosham Stream
• the River Adur and the tributaries from Burgess Hill to Henfield
• the Ifield Brook
• River Mole (Gatwick Airport, Crawley)
• the Upper Ouse from Swaffham to Barcombe Mills

Driving conditions are treacherous this morning across the county.

There are renewed risks of further flooding, the Environment Agency has warned.

Forecasters have revealed there will be no respite from the rain over coming days.

The EA said there is a "continued" risk of surface water flooding from overwhelmed drains across parts of East and West Sussex.

In a statement issued at 11am on Tuesday, Julia Simpson, Environment Agency regional duty manager, said: “With rain forecast for every day this week and potentially heavy rainfall at the weekend, we want people to stay aware of the risk of further flooding.

"Many roads have experienced surface water flooding and motorists are strongly advised to keep out of dangerous flood water and not to attempt to drive through it.

“We are working with the communities who have been affected by flooding over the past few days and we urge everyone to remain vigilant ahead of further rainfall this week. Some rivers have stabilised but others are yet to peak as the water moves through, so we could potentially see further flood alerts and flood warnings being issued.

"We continue to work around the clock with our emergency partners and have been clearing trash screens, closing flood gates, operating flood storage areas, removing debris from known hotspots and warning and informing the public about the possibility of flooding.

"Teams also continue to monitor river levels across the South East and the weather ahead of more rainfall forecast for the remainder of the week.

"We urge people to check the Environment Agency website for the latest situation and to sign up to flood warnings for your local river."

Wiggonholt in West Sussex received the biggest lashing with 63 millimetres of rainfall during the last 24 hours. "It is June's rainfall in one day," said Victoria Kettley, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association.

Meanwhile, Brighton has had nearly three times the average rainfall for the whole month in 11 days. The wet weather is set to continue for the coming days, and could take a turn for the worse on Friday.

Julian Mayes, a forecaster for Meteogroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "The highest total - apart from mid Wales - is for Brighton, which has had 122mm (4.8in) of rain since the start of June. To put that into perspective, the average for the whole month is 50mm (2in)."

Despite the heavy rainfall, an Environment Agency spokesman confirmed areas of southern England remained in drought.

He said: "The rain we have had since the start of April - following the driest March for 70 years - has led to a huge improvement in water resources, putting us in a much more positive position for the summer.

"Water companies have seen reservoir levels rise, river levels are mostly back to normal, and many wildlife habitats that were suffering due to a lack of water have recovered.

"While the risk of drought with further water restrictions and associated environmental impacts this summer has reduced, the situation could deteriorate again next year if there is not enough rain this winter, particularly as groundwater levels are still low for this time of year."

The Met Office said the UK was still below its average rainfall for the time of year.

Between January and May, 392.5 millimetres of rain fell across the country, compared to an average of 439 millimetres.

Incidents- updated 16.10pm

• A fallen tree near the junction of the the A27 and A24 in Worthing is causing delays to commuters. Traffic reports suggested the road remains closed both ways, just west of the Offington Corner roundabout, alongside Durrington Cemetery.
• West Sussex Fire and Rescue reported that the volume of calls to its centre had steadied overnight. A spokeswoman said its crews were still out pumping water where it could. She added the worst affected areas were the Felpham and Middleton areas of Bognor. Some properties were under five to six feet of water.
• A group of elderly people in the Elmer area of Bognor had to be rescued and were taken to the Arun rescue centre in Felpham.
• Those staying at Butlin's holiday park in Bognor said last night they had to be reallocated rooms as water in some blocks had reached waist height. Others due to visit have been turned away by staff.
• Emergency teams warned last night that access to Bognor remains difficult as all three main routes are blocked A29, A259 and Elmer Road. Last night its teams focussed on pumping water away from the A259 to reopen the road.
• Crews from Hove Fire Station assisted colleagues in West Sussex in pumping water from properties and areas in Littlehampton. By 10am a number of roads had reopened, incuding the A259 Bognor to Chichester and A27 Chichester to Emsworth.
• RSPCA officers saved a herd of cows from drowning after a river next to their field burst its banks.
  Its team of Animal Welfare Officers were scrambled at 7pm on Monday night when a farmer called for help to save his herd of 21 cows which become trapped in their field in Old Wickhurst Lane, Broadbridge Heath, when the nearby River Arun burst its banks. Inspector Rosie Russon, who led the specialist water rescue team, said: “The farmer was really worried that they were going to drown because the water had reached 5ft and was still rising.” (see below for video)
• The Gables at Ifield, Crawley, was yesterday feared to be in danger of flooding and the council were preparing for a possible evacuation. However, no problems have been reported this morning, and the building was dry overnight. Flood defences remain in place for now and there is a full complement of staff.
• There is still one inch of water in the electric room of Kings Lodge Nursing home in Bosham and pumps remained in place overnight. Staff are currently awaiting dehumidifiers for the kitchen and laundry and will work with their sister property Belmont Castle to get these services provided from here. Fourteen residents remained in the property overnight and some residents are being brought back this morning with their own minibuses. A full complement of staff is available and there are no further support requirements.
• All residents of Margerie Cobby House, Selsey, are safe and a full complement of staff is available. Power is being provided from a generator which provided support from 2am, and phones are working. 
• Southern Water's fleet of tankers has been sent across the county to remove stormwater from its sewerage system. The company says an investigation has been launched, but it appears all sites were working and were simply overwhelmed by the deluge.
• Sussex Police Specialist Search Unit and district officers along with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service colleagues are wading and using inflatable crafts where necessary to reach some 250 vulnerable homes, knocking on doors and searching homes to make sure people are safe and receive the help they need. Residents are being taken to Arun Leisure Centre in Felpham. So far 10 people are being looked after and offered the support of designated housing officers to help secure alternative accommodation and liaise with insurance companies.

Send us your wet weather pictures. Email them to news@theargus.co.uk or text them to 80360 starting your message with SUPIC.

Road closures currently in effect:

A285 Petworth Bridge to Cottershaw Bridge; Monteswood Lane, Hayward Heath; Ifield Avenue, Crawley; A259 Felpham; A29 Shripney; Elmer Road, Bognor; Ancton Lane, Bognor; B2149 Station Road, Rustington; B2140 South Terrace between Fitzalan Road and Pier Road; Angmering village; fear river over road on A272 Newbridge just west of Billingshurst

Roads passable with care but causing long delays:

A259 Bognor to Chichester now open; A27 Chichester to Emsworth now open; B2233 Yapton Road open with minor flooding at junction of B2132 but passable

School closures

Bartons Infant School, Bognor; Edward Bryant Primary School, Bognor; Felpham Community College, Bognor; West Wittering Parochial Church of England School, Chichester

Ticklemetoo Playschool, Littlehampton will be closed until Monday. A week will be added on at the end of the summer term.

Send us your wet weather pictures. Email them to news@theargus.co.uk or text them to 80360 starting your message with SUPIC.