The Environment Agency and Dorset County Council say there may be an increased risk of groundwater flooding if there is prolonged rainfall.
Groundwater flooding will usually occur days or even weeks after rainfall and can continue for many weeks. Flooding may also ‘pool’ in low lying areas and can form springs in unlikely places, such as hillsides.
DCC has been successful in receiving funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to carry out a study into the flooding that affected properties and infrastructure along the south Winterbourne in early July.
Brian Richards, flood risk manager at Dorset County Council, said: “The study will look at possible options to help lessen flood damage should similar rainfall and groundwater conditions occur in the future.
The EA provides a free flood alert service for flooding from groundwater. This allows people to receive information by phone, email and text when there is a possibility of groundwater flooding in a specific area.
To sign-up to the free flood warning service either visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floods/groundwater or call the 24-hour Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
A ‘Flooding from Groundwater’ leaflet is available at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floods/groundwater
