Homes and roads in North Wiltshire have been flooded again. Malmesbury - by The River Avon - has been especially badly affected. Some properties have been flooded and some cars have been submerged.

People are advised to take extra care when travelling around the county, especially as the situation is unlikely to get any better with more heavy rain due overnight.

Drivers should steer clear of flooded roads, with many impassable and heavy rain forecast for Wiltshire and Swindon.

Following the significant rain earlier this week, the ground is already saturated, and further rain could leave many more roads difficult to pass, or closed completely. Any road closures in place are there for a reason, and drivers are asked to observe them.

Some road closures are still in place, and more could be closed if the expected weather passes through the region. A constantly updated list of roads currently closed is available on the council website.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue is advising people to “think and not sink”, and use a common sense approach when driving through flood water. Rescuing people trapped in flood water uses up valuable emergency service resources which could be deployed elsewhere.

Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council’s highways teams have been working hard with colleagues in the emergency services to clear any flooding, and will be continuing to do so. The work is being coordinated by the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) which prepares for, responds to and helps with the recovery from local major incidents and emergencies.

Wiltshire Council’s twitter account @wiltshireroads will be giving up to date information on the conditions and affected areas. 

Should anyone being experiencing any flooding which is either affecting property or causing issues on the roads, they should call 0800 232323 from a landline or 01225 777234 from a mobile phone. However, in an emergency, people should always dial 999.

Priority is always given to flooded properties and major roads which become impassable.'

ADVICE ON DRIVING

·        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 adjacent properties.

·        When driving, if heavy rain is making visibility difficult, pull over if possible.

·        Remember that roads will be slippery during wet conditions.

 ADVICE FOR YOUR HOME

If you know your home is at risk of flooding, prepare a list of useful phone numbers and keep it somewhere safe. Also:

·        If your home does start to flood, turn off your electricity supply.

·        For sewage leaks contact your water company.

·        If you have an elderly or vulnerable family member or neighbour who is at risk of flooding, contact them to ensure they are prepared and know what to do should their home flood.

·        If you think floodwater might enter your home, move valuables and other items upstairs to safety.

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