THE Environment Agency has issued several flood warnings as rivers in and around Salisbury threaten to burst their banks.

Salisbury and south Wiltshire have so far avoided the worst of the stormy weather. But today the Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for residents of St Nicholas Road in The Close in Salisbury, where properties are at risk from both the River Avon and groundwater, with levels are expected to remain high into the middle of the week.

The agency has also issued a warning for areas close to the River Avon in Britford, Charlton All Saints, Downton and Fordingbridge and in the Woodford Valley. Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service are advising people to use common sense when driving through flood water. The fire service has attended more than 100 flood-related incidents since Wednesday, with 40 people needing rescuing from vehicles stranded in flood water, mostly in the north and west of the county.

A list of roads currently closed is available at wiltshire.gov.uk and anyone experiencing flooding affecting property or roads should call 0800 232323 from a landline or 01225 777234 from a mobile.

The advice is not to drive through standing water – as well as the water damaging your car there may be hazards under the water you can’t see – and remember that if there is a sign saying the road is closed due to flooding it’s there for a reason and driving around it could mean getting stuck.

If heavy rain is making visibility difficult, drivers should pull over where possible.

People who think floodwater might affect their home should move valuables upstairs. If your home does start to flood, turn off the electricity supply.