FLOOD RISK

As the South today braces itself for another battering from storms we have obtained the maps which show that more than 700 homes are a risk from overflowing rivers.

Weather forecasters have warned that the South is to be hit by 80-mile-an-hour winds and driving rain by tonight.

And to cope with the weather alert Hampshire fire service is wheeling out six of the famous Green Goddess engines to be on stand by if flooding stretches the brigade to its limit.

The maps, which are published in the Echo today on pages 7, 8 & 9, reveal the flood risk areas of the River Itchen from its source in Cheriton to Southampton Water.

They have been produced by the environment Agency, although the organisation's flood defence boss for Hampshire Tim Kermode says it is a picture of a "one in a hundred years'' scenario.

But the region is in the grip of its wettest autumn since records began and with storms on the way the flood risk can only get worse.

Forecasters said a "vigorous depression'' is forming in the Atlantic and will strike southern England and Wales tonight.

Storm force winds of more than 80mph are expected in some areas as the depression moves North, "with some structural damage possible'', the Met Office said.

Forecasters fear this weekend's weather could be as severe as on October 30 when tornados hit the south coast of England.

"This weekend's storms will be on a similar scale to the last one on October 30,'' a Met Office spokesman said.

Following the record rain levels county fire chiefs have decided to splash out £6,000 to put the Green Goddesses on standby.

The appliances were essential during Britain's war efforts and were briefly used in the New Forest three years ago to deal with woodland fires.

Deputy chief fire officer Alan House said: "They are superb at pumping large quantities of water and will be deployed to areas of the county should a requirement for them arise."

He added that during the recent storms, the fire service had received 127 calls about flooding in just one day.

Mr House said they decided to bring in the appliances on loan after more bad weather was forecast.

"We have set up a control room and we are receiving daily reports from the Environment Agency about potentially serious flooding," he said.

The maps can also be seen on the Environment Agency's new website, which is launched today, where those anxious over flooding can monitor the risks across the country by viewing localised maps unsing their postcode. The address is www.environment-agency.gov.uk.