Charity, Christchurch, Eco & Environment | Posted on February 13th, 2026 | return to news

Charity helps rescue mobile home parks in Christchurch

Storm Chandra brought extensive flooding in Iford and Christchurch, necessitating evacuations of homeowners.

The Wessex Rescue Unit, a charity based in the Dorset area, was involved with emergency evacuations and flood assistance on 28 January following the impact of Storm Chandra.

The main focus of its operations was in Christchurch (where it has a base) and Bournemouth, specifically at mobile home parks where rising river levels from the Lower Stour posed a ‘danger to life’.

Working as part of a co-ordinated multi-agency response, the team worked with Dorset Police, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, BCP Council, the British Red Cross and the Environment Agency to ensure no residents — including many beloved pets — were left stranded.

Iford Bridge Home Park was a critical site. Here, Wessex Rescue assisted in transporting residents away from their flooded homes after the Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning.

Redhill and Wheatplot Home Sites also required multi-agency support to help transport residents away from flooding and manage resident safety.

At Beaulieu Gardens Home Park in Christchurch, given the significant surface-level flooding, emergency services alongside representatives from BCP Council assisted residents. Teams from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and Wessex Rescue Unit then evacuated people and ensured safety protocols were in place. At all sites, welfare checks were conducted, with the team helping maintain a registry of residents to ensure everyone was accounted for and had contact numbers for emergency updates.

Wessex Rescue used its training in flood response techniques and equipment to manage the situation alongside colleagues from the local emergency services.

Where evacuation was needed, under the direction of BCP Council, people were moved to a nearby rest and reception centre (with, in many cases, the Iford Bridge pub serving as a staging area).

Operations continued through the night of 28 January and into the following days. Residents were eventually cleared to return on 31 January after power was reinstated and floodwaters receded.

If you would like to assist Wessex Rescue, see https://wessexrescue.org.uk/support_us.