in december 2012, wallington made national headlines after residents were ordered to evacuate by the environment agency due to potential heavy flooding from a breakdown in flood defences. the breakdown of flood defences (according to the bbc) has led to heavy flooding in the area leading to six people so far having to be rescued by hampshire fire and rescue service from submerged vehicles in addition to two persons who had to be rescued by a police community support officer (pcso) from their submerged car which had become stranded in a ford in sway, hampshire.