Dorset coast hit by flooding and strong winds from Storm Austen

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 08:02 · Archive

Storm Austen has brought flooding and large waves to the Dorset coast, with the A354 Portland Beach Road closed.

Storm Austen brought flooding to the Dorset coast on Thursday night, with the Environment Agency issuing a flood warning for the Chiswell area on Portland. The A354 Portland Beach Road and the Causeway were closed after flooding and waves overtopped the road, making conditions unsafe. The flood alert also covers Brandy Row, Pebble Lane, Victoria Square up to the junction with Queens Road and car parks along the A354.

Force seven to eight winds and large waves are expected throughout Friday morning. The Environment Agency urged people to avoid seafronts and harbours due to wave overtopping and spray containing debris, and warned that coastal roads, footpaths and car parks may be flooded. Staff from the Environment Agency were stationed on site to monitor the situation.

Disruption extended beyond the coast. Trains running between Poole and Bournemouth were disrupted after a tree came down on the railway line near Bournemouth, with South Western Railway cancelling and delaying services by up to 60 minutes until midday. The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for the south coast including Dorset, the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.

How it is being reported

• Dorset coast under flood warning as storm sweeps inThe warning covers the coast at Chiswell, where strong winds and large waves are causing flooding.BBC Dorset · 23 Oct, 07:50
• Flooding warning with strong winds and large waves expectedFlooding is possible at Chiswell, Portland, throughout tomorrow morning as a result of Storm Austen, which is expected to sweep across the south west tonight.Dorset Echo · 22 Oct, 16:10

In this story: Storm Austen · Chiswell · Portland · Dorset · Environment Agency · Met Office

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