Met Office issues heavy rain warning for New Forest and Christchurch

FLOOD warnings have been issued by the Met Office with a weather alert for heavy rain across the south of England and Wales, including the New Forest and Christchurch.

In an update this morning (Wednesday), the whole local area was covered by the lowest-level yellow warning running from 5pm today.

Tomorrow's all-day alert excluded Christchurch but covered the New Forest on the edge of the warning zone.

More than two inches (60mm) of rain could fall in some locations over the two days across a swathe of the country running from the south coast up to Worcester.

Flooding of some homes and businesses is “likely”, said the warning, and bus and train services will probably be affected with longer journey times. Spray and floods on roads were also predicted.

The Met Office said: “Periods of rain are expected to become widespread and locally heavy across parts of England and Wales through Thursday.

“Over western areas, some hill snow is possible, with local accumulations of a few cm possible, for example over the higher routes in Wales.

“Rainfall totals of 10-20mm are likely, with some spots potentially seeing totals of 40-60mm.”

The latest weather warning follows winds of up to 80mph which struck the New Forest and Christchurch on 2nd November, causing widespread damage with falling trees blocking roads and cutting off power supplies.

Flora Walsh (69), a mother from Verwood, was fatally crushed by a tree which was blown on to her car on the B3081 Verwood Road between the Alderholt junction and the A31.