FLOOD hit communities in the borough are being warned to prepare for further flooding as a month’s worth of rain is forecast over the next four days.

Chiltern Way, in Buckskin, is now closed between the junction of Buckskin Lane and Blackdown Close because of flooding.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has delivered sandbags to Whitchurch and Overton after the Environment Agency issued a flood warning covering the River Test.

Council staff are also helping residents in The Candovers and St Mary Bourne to protect their homes from flooding.

The council holds a supply of sandbags ready to deploy to areas in greatest need, where flood warnings have been issued.

Tankers are helping to keep water from rising in the Buckskin area, but the council has said that groundwater levels are still very high and has put a ‘large number’ of properties at risk of flooding as more rain is forecast.

Staff are still available at the coordination centre at the Ridgeway Centre, where onsite advice is being given to residents about flooding and residents are being directed to help or hotel accommodation if evacuated.

Officers from the borough council, Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Fire and Rescue and Sovereign Housing Association have been out working with the community to cope with the flooding.

Portable toilets are still in the area for those unable to flush their toilets. The council is looking at moving some of these and installing lighting in response to requests from residents at the public meeting held last night.

Warning signs have now been put up in the area urging people to keep out of the flood water, which is contaminated with sewage.

Incidents of flooding on Hampshire roads can be reported to hants.gov.uk/roadproblems or by calling 0845 603 5633.

Anyone concerned about older or vulnerable people in their community should call 0845 603 5630.