Thursday evening, firefighters from Essex rescued a woman whose vehicle became partially submerged in a flooded ford.
At approximately 18:50 GMT, an incident occurred at Buttsbury Wash between Ingatestone and Billericay. Marc Kyprianou, the crew manager, stated that the rescue diverted officers, crews, and specialised units from other emergencies.
Kyprianou cautioned that similar incidents can be easily averted if motorists pay attention to flooded roads and avoid driving on them.
Recent weeks have seen heavy rainfall in the East of England, particularly in Billericay, Ingatestone, and surrounding areas. Locals are advised to exercise extra caution when travelling in the area to prevent additional accidents.
Essex Fire and Rescue have stated that they will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to assist those in need.
“Our advice is straightforward – if you encounter a flooded road, do not attempt to drive through it,” Kyprianou added. It is not worth risking your own or your passengers’ safety.
It is not the first time that flooding has wreaked havoc in the East of England. In December, heavy precipitation caused flash flooding in parts of Norfolk and Suffolk as well as the closure of several roads in the region.
Local authorities hope that these incidents will serve as a reminder of the dangers associated with driving through floodwater and are urging travellers in the area to take extra precautions.
