By Karen Bate

Just as many residents are reeling from the aftermath of the worst flooding parts of North Dorset have seen in decades, another storm ripped through the county at the weekend, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.

On Sunday, October 31, the North Dorset was battered by heavy rain and gusts of up to 80mph.

Torrential rainfall turned roads into rivers while strong winds caused trees to crash onto cars, houses, roads and cable lines leaving scores of people trapped in their villages.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service rescued motorists stranded in flood water and SSEN reported power outages across the county caused by stormy weather.

Chaos on the roads caused by flooding and fallen trees hit the region.

Photo by: Alan Cull

In Mere, roads in places were impassable. Firefighters reported an ‘extreme risk of flooding’ on the River Lydden near Bagber and Stalbridge and the B3081 between Shaftesbury and Gillingham was once again flooded in places.

There were also closures on the A30 and A35 affecting Compton Valence, Winterborne Abbas and parts of the road heading to Warminster and a live power line was brought down by trees overhanging the A350 between Spetisbury Manor and Sturminster Marshall.

Major flooding hit Elm Hill near Shaftesbury with residents desperately seeking sandbags.

Dorset Council put out a warning to drivers which read: “There’s lots of road closures with trees on lines, unsafe structures and large numbers of cars stuck in flood water.

“Although the rain has stopped there is lots of surface water and rivers are still rising. Please stay safe, don’t drive through flood water and obey closure.”

Early on Monday November 1, motorists were experiencing heavy delays in parts of the county as the clear up continues.

Read in more detail how the storm affected your communities in our next edition on November 12.