Dorset coast under flood warning as Storm Austen sweeps in

A stretch of the Dorset coast is under a flood warning as Storm Austen sweeps in.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued the warning for the coast in the Chiswell area and closed the A354 Portland Beach Road and the Causeway after flooding and waves overtopped the road.

The EA said: "We are closely monitoring the situation and we have staff on site" and urged people to avoid seafronts and harbours due to wave overtopping and spray containing debris.

The area under the flood warning also covers Brandy Row, Pebble Lane, Victoria Square up to the junction with Queens Road and the car parks along the A354 and the yard along Lerret Road.

Elsewhere trains are also disrupted between Poole and Bournemouth after a tree came down on the railway line near Bournemouth.

South Western Railway said train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until midday.

The rail firm said replacement buses were set to run between Bournemouth and Brockenhurst.

A flood warning means that flooding is expected so you should act now. The Environment Agency suggests:

Move your loved ones, pets and valuables to a safe place.

Move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building.

Turn off the gas, electricity and water in your home if it's safe.

Put flood protection equipment in place.

Do as the emergency services tell you and help others if it's safe to do so.

Several flood alerts are in place including Christchurch Harbour due to high tides and also Preston Beach at Weymouth, Swanage Bay, Studland Bay, Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, Bournemouth Beach, Hengistbury Head.

Flood alerts on Dorset's west coast cover Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Seatown, West Bay, Bothenhampton, Burton Freshwater, Burton Bradstock, Cogden Beach, Chesil Beach, West Fleet, East Fleet.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the south coast including Dorset, The Isle of Wight and Hampshire.

An amber weather warning for strong winds is in place for Cornwall and parts of Devon.

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