Fire crews rescue three people from flood waters in Bedfordshire

Crews from Kempston pulled a woman and a child from a car trapped by flood waters in Church Street, Upper Dean while Bedford firefighters rescued an elderly woman from her flooded home in High Street, Riseley.

A Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue spokesman is warning people in the north of the county to take care as heavy rain continues to fall.

He said: “Riseley, Upper Dean and Lower Dean are already suffering from some flooding and four fire appliances have been sent to North Bedfordshire to deploy Aqua sacs to help hold back flood waters.

“Fire officers are in the area monitoring water levels in case of further flooding and drivers are advised NOT to drive into flood water which can often be deeper than it appears.”

Meanwhile Bedford Borough Council announced: “Riseley High Street is closed, and Riseley Lower School and Margaret Beaufort Middle School are being closed early.

“It is possible that further rain may result in bridge closures in North Bedfordshire which will require services affected to operate diversionary routes.”

The council is advising people to regularly check its website for more information at http://apps.bedford.gov.uk/winterupdates/#3

Advice about precautions to protect your home from flooding is on the Bedfordshire Local Resilience Forum website www.bllrf.org.uk