The Isle of Wight suffered badly on Monday as 41mm of rain fell by midnight, more than half the island's total October average rainfall.

BBC: South hit by severe floods

Dorset saw rainfall amounting to more than 25% of the average monthly total in two days, with close to 30mm falling.

BBC: Dorset weather: Wind and rain causes disruption

The catchment area is being increased by the creation of a pair of reservoirs, the first of which, due to be finished next year, will mean the rainfall-catchment acreage will extend to two-thirds of the island's total land area.

ECONOMIST: Every drop counts | The