Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue see water-related incidents rise
The fire service say in 2024, they were called out to 34 vehicles trapped in water, and this year alone, had 11 incidents on one day
Last updated 23rd Jan 2026
As we see more bad weather and flooding, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service say they're going to more water-related incidents than ever before.
They say in 2024, they were called out to 34 vehicles trapped in water, and this year alone, had 11 incidents on one day.
Here's Phil Foxton from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue, who's telling us what they're seeing.
He said: "Certainly climate change has an effect on these climate-related events and the number of incidents that we're attending have increased significantly over the past few years.
"In 2001, we attended five instances where we were rescuing individuals from vehicles trapped in water.
"It was 34 in 2024, and then in one day of the last calendar year, we attended 11 on the same day.
"So this rise is significant.
"We attended more in a day than we did in almost a two year period before."
He's sharing his advice for driving in floods.
He said: "Always follow the flood warning signs.
"There are messages that come through out media and through the council, then through the Met Office as well for severe weather warnings.
"So we'd recommend people exercise caution during those times.
"If there are warning signs and road closures, then they should absolutely be followed.
"If you come across areas of standing water, don't enter it.
"It can certainly be deeper and faster than it looks and that can cause significant damage to vehicles, but also present a risk to life in the serious circumstances."