Major incident declared after fire service receives almost 300 flooding calls across Norfolk
There were 48 fire engines out across the county at its peak
Last updated 24th Dec 2020
Flooding due to heavy rain overnight is continuing to cause disruption on roads across the county today.
Sections of the A47 are shut due to water on the road and train services between Norwich and Diss have been cancelled.
There are a number of flood alerts and warnings in force across Norfolk and Suffolk, and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident last night after receiving almost 300 calls.
Tim Edwards, Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“We’ve seen significant flooding overnight and our crews have been hard at work to respond to almost 300 flooding related calls. The flooding is the result of high rainfall, saturated fields and accumulations of water in low lying areas.
“While the area around Long Stratton has been severely affected, there has been flooding in many parts of the county. At the height of our response 48 fire engines were deployed in Norfolk, and I’m grateful for support from our partners, including Essex Fire and Rescue Service who mobilised a High Volume Pump to support us.
“We’re still seeing floodwater in some locations: we’re here to help anyone who feels their lives may be at risk, who should call 999 immediately. For anyone not at immediate risk, you can report flooding online on the Norfolk County Council website. I would also urge drivers not to enter any floodwater you encounter on the road. It may be deeper and more dangerous than you expect and leave you stranded.”
South Norfolk and Long Stratton are believed to have been the worst affected by floodwater, and at the peak of the problems, 48 fire engines were deployed across the county.
The fire service is warning motorists not to attempt to drive in floodwater, as it could be deeper than it appears or be hiding hazards.