Elderly woman and family of three among those rescued from flooding across Essex

Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue for parts of today

Stapleford Abbotts flooding
Author: Ellie CloutePublished 22nd May 2024

Fire crews in Essex have rescued several people from their homes, after heavy rainfall yesterday led to flooding across the county.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) say their Control Room, firefighter and officers had more than 70 incidents between last night at 5pm and 9am this morning.

The incidents included crews from Ongar, Brentwood and Leigh rescuing people from flooded properties in Stapleford Road, Stapleford Abbots.

Six people, including an elderly woman who was trapped on the first floor of her home, were rescued by crews.

In Southend, firefighters were called to a flooded house in Broomfield Avenue, where they isolated the electrics.

Elsewhere in the county homes flooded in Harlow, Spencers Croft, where a family of three were led to safety by firefighters last night.

Businesses and homes were also affected by the persistent rainfall in Aldham, where crews from Colchester and Wivenhoe attended three homes in New Road, where water had to be pumped out.

Thaxted crews were also called to Elder Street in Wimbish, where they removed a tree which had fallen across the road.

With more rain forecast for today, ECFRS have urged people to take care when driving, avoiding flood water and leaving extra time for journeys.

They're asking for 999 to only be called if there is a risk to life.

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