Homes have been invaded by water and schools forced to close their gates as heavy downpours caused flooding in Jersey.
A 'major incident' was declared by the national government yesterday after the Grands Vaux reservoir overflowed and leaked water into neighbouring streams.
The flooding came after torrential rain continued through the night and into the morning yesterday on the Channel Islands and southern parts of the British Isles.
Authorities evacuated residents from dozens of properties in the Grands Vaux area as one photograph showed a family and their dog being rescued along a street in a motorised dinghy.
States of Jersey Police closed a number of roads throughout the day and asked local people to avoid the area, while Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown said that a total of 39 families had been evacuated so far.
The flooding also caused a local school to close after staff and parents found themselves unable to reach the gates.
Grands Vaux School wrote on its Facebook page: "Please be advised that the roads around school are flooded this morning.
"They have been closed by the fire brigade as it is not safe and we have been advised to delay opening [the] school."
The school will remain closed on Wednesday.
Chief executive of Jersey Water Helier Smith has meanwhile asked parents to prevent their children from swimming in the floodwater due to potential risk of contamination from sewage.
An additional warning has been given about swimming in seawater, which may also be impacted.
Thanking the efforts of the emergency services, Jersey Chief Minister Kristina Moore said: "I want to assure islanders and those affected that we will continue to provide support, including emergency accommodation.
"Once again, our community is showing its strength and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.
"Our emergency services plan and prepare for such events and I'm exceptionally proud and grateful to them for their immediate and professional response"
A support line at 01534 448844 has been set up for those affected by flooding, and will re-open in the morning at 08.30am.
