Sussex flooding: dog and driver among night's rescues

A driver and a dog were rescued from a car stranded in floodwater in East Sussex yesterday evening (March 5), as heavy rain on soaked ground caused a night of call-outs for firefighters and other rescue workers across the county. Environment Agency warnings were in force in more than a dozen areas last night. At sunset, staff with the South Downs National Park Authority warned residents near the River Rother in West Sussex that it was "breaching its banks in places". They instructed householders and businesses in Liss, and between Sheet and Fittleworth, to put into place any sandbags or similar flood protection. Elsewhere, West Sussex Highways say their crews attended fifty emergency reports, mostly related to "flooding issues and obstruction to the highway". Among other incidents, firefighters in Sussex reported they'd been involved in these rescues and pumping of flood water: At 5.09pm, firefighters from The Ridge attended a flooding affecting a building on Hobbs Lane, Beckley, where crews used a main pump to stem the flow of water. At 5.56pm, Rye firefighters attended a flooding affecting a property on Mill Lane, Peasmarsh, to help divert water flow. By 6pm, firefighters from Uckfield, Crowborough and Lewes were attending a car stranded in flood water on Etchingwood Lane, Framfield. The driver and a dog were rescued from the vehicle. Cars stranded in flood water were behind a call at 6.09pm, when firefighters from Battle, Herstmonceux, Heathfield and Crowborough attended Grove Hill, Hellingly. Here, crews recovered two vehicles and were assisted by a local farmer. The road was closed until the flood water had cleared. At 6.39pm, Wadhurst firefighters attended a flooding in a residential building on Courthorpe Avenue, Wadhurst, where they isolated electrics and made the scene safe. By 6.58pm, crews from Herstmonceux, Crowborough and Lewes were attending Withernden Hill, Burwash following reports of three cars stranded in flood water. Firefighters rescued four people from the vehicles and the Highways Agency subsequently closed the road. At 4.40am, firefighters from Battle, Hastings and Crowborough assisted one person to safety, as they attended Junction Road, Staplecross following reports of a car stranded in water. More Radio is continuously dedicated to providing a quality news service on-air and online, reporting local stories that matter across Sussex. If you enjoyed reading this story, then check out our home page at moreradio.online where you can find the latest from the county, along with features and competitions from our presenters, as well as listening to the station live. You can also sign up to our news alerts to receive updates on new stories. Simply click on the bell at the bottom right of the home page. This will then allow a pop-up which will ask if you would like to receive alerts. Press ‘allow’ and you’re all signed up! You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.