WILTSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service is again warning motorists not to drive through floodwater if they don’t know the depth.

Heavy rain last night has led to localised flooding around the county, and the strong winds also caused trees and debris to blow down into the roads.

Since yesterday morning, the service has rescued 11 people from vehicles stuck in flood water. This included two women whose car was stuck in 2ft of water on the road between Somerford Keynes and Minety in the early hours of this morning.

Overnight, we also attended at four properties – in Easton, Tilshead and Minety – to assist householders who had flooding in their homes. The Salisbury aerial appliance was mobilised at 6.23pm yesterday evening so that Christmas lights that had blown down in Blue Boar Row could be retrieved.

If you are driving through areas affected by flooding, please follow this advice: • Don’t drive through standing water - as well as the water damaging your car, there may be hazards under the surface you can’t see. If you see a sign to say that the road is closed due to flooding, remember the sign is there for a reason. Don’t try to drive through or you might get stuck.

• If you are driving a larger vehicle, do not go through flood water at speed as this creates a ‘bow wave’ that can then cause flooding to adjacent properties. Road closures are often there to protect properties, so please don’t try to drive through.

• When driving, if heavy rain is making visibility difficult, pull over if possible.

• Remember that roads will be slippery during wet conditions.

• The heavy winds of last night will have left debris on many roads, so take extra care.

If you know your home is at risk of flooding, prepare a list of useful phone numbers and keep it somewhere safe.

Also: • If your home does start to flood, turn off your electricity supply.

• For sewage leaks contact your water company.

• If you have an elderly or vulnerable family member or neighbour who is at risk of flooding, contact them to ensure they are prepared and know what to do should their home flood.

• If you think floodwater might enter your home, move valuables and other items upstairs to safety.

For further advice, you can:

• Listen out for warnings on radio and TV

• Phone Floodline 0845 988 118

• Visit the Environment Agency website at environment-agency.gov.uk

• People can visit wiltshire.gov.uk/floodinganddrainage for advice when flooding occurs