Wiltshire washed out by flash floods (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Wiltshire washed out by flash floods

8:24am Monday 15th December 2008

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People all over Wiltshire are counting the cost of heavy rains that caused flooding chaos across the county.

Emergency services were inundated with calls from worried homeowners, roads were impassable and sports fixtures cancelled.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service received more than 180 calls about flooding problems and pumped water from 80 homes during 100 call outs.

Warminster, in particular, was badly hit, and Bromham and Rowde, both near Devizes, saw major problems.

In all, six people had to be rescued from their cars after getting stuck.

Malmesbury was put on alert after a flood warning in Tetbury Avon, and roads including the A361 at Semington and the A350 Yarnbrook, near Trowbridge, were flooded.

Wiltshire Police said the county's emergency services were fully stretched dealing with flooding and weather-related incidents.

At the height of the problems they advised the public to stay at home and to only contact the emergency services if absolutely necessary.

Early on Saturday, flood alarms were raised, rivers rose and homeowners sprang into action after the heavens opened.

The flash flooding claimed its fair share of properties.

One of those believed to be at risk was The Mill in Baker Road, Wroughton, which is on the market for £895,000.

A cottage attached to the main building suffered severe flooding and contained 2ft of water by 11am.

Fire crews started up pumps to remove standing water as it began threatening other homes.

The front lawn of a neighbouring cottage belonging to June Bailey was flooded.

She said the water levels were the worst she had seen in more than two decades.

She said: “We have never been flooded before this, but our front lawn was like a lake and the water was sitting inches from our house.

“It is so sad to see The Mill today, it is such a beautiful place and was selling for almost £1 million.

“This is the worst I have ever seen it in all my 24 years in the neighbourhood.“

Chris Fleming, also of Baker Road, said his newly fitted £35,000 flood alleviation scheme was the only thing keeping his home from flooding for the 11th time since he bought the house in 1984.

He said: “At 7.30am it was all right but next thing we knew it came up very quickly.

"It came off the land and flooded just like that. This was far too close for comfort.”

Dozens of sports fixtures were postponed. Toolstation League games involving Devizes, Calne and Melksham were called off. Rugby and hockey matches at all levels were also affected.

In the Chippenham Sunday League the Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup competition suffered disruption as all seven of the scheduled second and third round matches were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Have you been affected by flooding? Send us your stories and pictures by clicking here

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