Around 70 incidents as heavy rain causes flooding in parts of Essex
Update at 10pm
Buckhurst Hill flooding
The flooding affected 18 properties in Rous Road and Boxted Close, Buckhurst Hill. Not River Road as we said earlier.
Crews from Loughton, Epping, Waltham Abbey and Corringham attended but have now left the scene. Relief crews from Chelmsford and Basildon remain in the area to continue reducing water levels. A crew from Thaxted is also on scene using an aqua vac to suck out water from some properties in Boxted Close.
We’d like to thank local residents for their support.
Over the past three hours our control room has dealt with around 70 incidents relating to flooding as heavy rain arrived in parts of Essex.
Areas affected included the Epping Forest district, Chelmsford, Braintree and Halstead.
Crews and our officers have been attending multiple incidents including flooded roads, properties and businesses and rescuing people from their vehicle after driving through flood water.
Firefighters from Waltham Abbey, Epping and Loughton are working hard to pump the water from River Road and Boxted Road in Buckhurst Hill this evening.
Houses in both roads have been affected by flooding.
Station Manager Dave Bond said: “Crews are working extremely hard to pump the water away. We want to reassure you that we are doing this as quick as we can.”
Shops and businesses were affected by flooding in Bridge Street and BlueBridge Industrial Estate in Halstead. A car got stuck in flood water in Colchester Road, also in Halstead, with two people being helped to safety by firefighters.
Station Manager Pete Donovan said: “Don’t risk driving through a flooded road, it takes less water than you think for a car to float and become out of control on the water. Instead turn around and find another route.”
Photos show flooding in Buckhurst Hill and firefighters working to pump the water away.
Our flooding advice:
While we work with partner agencies to help during floods, we can only respond to incidents when there is a risk to life.
We’d ask drivers not to risk driving through floodwater and instead to turn around and find another route.
For home owners, we have this advice for residents whose homes are being affected by floodwater if and only if it is safe to do so:
- Ensure your external drains are clear of debris
- Take everything off the ground to prevent damage
- Turn electrics off and if you cannot do this safely, call an electrician
General advice:
- Download the what3words app to help you find, share and save your precise location if you need help from the emergency services while you're out.
- Remember, only call 999 if there is a risk to life
- Check your car regularly to make sure it’s safe to drive - this includes tyres, oil levels and water
- Always prepare for your journey by checking weather updates and road closures before leaving
- Never drive while under the influence of drink or drugs or while using a mobile phone
- Always wear a seatbelt
- Take it slower on the roads in wet weather and leave a larger braking distance between cars
- Never drive into flood water
