Multi-agency support continues with response teams monitoring the situation closely and ready to act if necessary.
A major incident remains in place – although the situation is stabilising, which is generally positive, water levels remain high and the ground is already saturated across the Levels and Moors. Further rainfall is forecast later tonight (Friday), and on Sunday and with more unsettled weather next week the picture currently remains uncertain.
Because of this, teams continue to remain on stand-by and ready to respond during tonight and across the weekend should the situation require it. All relevant contacts and useful information can be found in the sections below should residents and businesses have any concerns or queries.
Operations are still being co-ordinated involving Somerset Council, emergency services, health colleagues, the Environment Agency (EA), local voluntary organisations and other key partners.
To view previous updates, visit the Council’s Newsroom archive.
Emergency response and recovery team
Teams remain on standby – ongoing weather conditions and water levels continue to be closely monitored.
The risk appears low but if there’s a need to evacuate, residents will be contacted by the police, Somerset Council staff or by receiving a flood warning from the EA.
Plans are in place to stand up rest centres should they be needed.
In line with the principles of the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum plan, the Recovery Working Group is continuing to plan and work toward the recovery operation.
Anyone affected by flooding is being encouraged to report it via the Council’s online Flood Reporting form.
Highways and transport
Damage to roads
Countywide, the recent weather has caused a high number of defects on roads across Somerset, and teams are working hard to assess and fix these in order of priority.
Over the last 2 weeks the service has received 5,000 enquiries.
If you spot a problem, please report it as soon as possible via the Council’s Report a problem on the road page. This is the quickest route for incidents to get picked up.
People are reminded to be patient during this time, as urgent repair work may result in travel disruption, and their understanding is valued.
Current road closures due to flooding and adverse weather
On the Levels, all 4 roads with emergency road closure gates remain closed:
- The A361 between East Lyng and Burrowbridge, along with Cutts Road, the Langport to Muchelney Road and New Road, West Lyng.
Also:
- Aller Drove, Wetmoor Lane and Thorney Road near Langport; Godney Road from B3151 to Godney Drove crossroads; Ruggs Drove, Chedzoy.
- Red Hil, Oath, Curry Rivel; Wickmoor, Wick, Curry Rivel.
- Bridgehampton Road near Yeovil; Bineham Lane, Yeovilton.
- A30 Hendford Hill, Yeovil is currently closed due to fallen trees/bank slippage. Teams are working hard to reopen the road as soon as possible.
Please check the Council’s Roadworks and travel information page and follow @TravelSomerset on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook for live travel updates, roadworks and other highways news.
Environment Agency update
Over the past 24 hours, there has been low rainfall totals across Somerset. Further showers are expected throughout today. Saturday is forecast to be drier with more settled conditions. Sunday is likely to be wetter.
Water levels across Currymoor, Northmoor, Saltmoor, and the moors upstream of Langport (including Huish Episcopi, Midelney and Westover), remain high but steady or slightly reducing in the past 24 hours. Because the ground is fully saturated, local rivers are sensitive to further rainfall. You can check for levels in your area via GOV.UK’s river and sea levels page.
Conditions continue to be closely monitored, and the EA will respond quickly to any changes. With levels now steady or receding in the main channels, the opportunity to evacuate water from the moors will be maximised. Operations will be prioritised according to reducing risk to property.
5 Flood Warnings and 8 Flood Alerts remain in place across Somerset. People are encouraged to check Flood Warning updates regularly online for local information about their area.
Further useful information can be found in the EA’s How the Somerset Moors work document.
What the Environment Agency is doing
- The EA has additional pumps operational at Dunball, Northmoor, Saltmoor, Elson’s Clyce, Westonzoyland, and Bridgwater Canal and Docks. Teams are working 24/7 to ensure pumps are running at full capacity.
- Further temporary pumps are now also operational at both Northmoor and Saltmoor Pumping Stations.
- A bypass channel at Vinneys Bridge has been successfully completed, improving flows to Northmoor pumping station.
- Additional pumps are installed at Haymoor and will be installed at Currymoor, West Sedgemoor, and Westover when river levels allow. These cannot be used until river levels drop further.
- Monksleaze Clyse is being opened as much as possible to reduce river levels upstream, and locations downstream are being closely monitored to ensure there is no increase in flood risk to property.
- Pumping started yesterday at Dunball, and capacity will be further increased with more pumps in the coming days. These pumps are only needed for 2–3 hours per tidal cycle when the King’s Sedgemoor Drain gates are closed. When open, the gates release up to 75 cubic metres of water per second into the Severn Estuary. When the gates close, the pumps discharge 10–15 cubic metres per second during high tides. While not as powerful as natural processes, this helps relieve pressure on the lower Sowy and King’s Sedgemoor Drain while the River Parrett Flood Relief Channel (River Sowy) is being used to full effect.
- In the Brue catchment, pumping is operational at Gold Corner and North Drain as river levels allow, and the Brue Diversion Channel (Cripps River) continues to be operated as required. Water levels remain high in parts of the catchment, and concerns around high levels near Lewis Drove are acknowledged. Additional pumps are being mobilised at North Drain to improve pumping capacity if required.
Advice for communities
For safety reasons, people are advised not to walk or drive through floodwater, which may be deeper than it appears and could contain sewage and hidden hazards.
Anyone experiencing property flooding is encouraged to report it as soon as possible, as this helps organisations coordinate support and prioritise response efforts. Reports can be made via the EA Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
Since a Major Incident was declared, the multi‑agency response to flooding has been stepped up.
Sign up for flood warnings via GOV.UK’s Get flood warnings by text, phone or email page.
Find more information and local gauge levels via GOV.UK’s Find river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels page.
For welfare needs, including animal welfare, residents are advised to contact Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224.
NHS Somerset update
NHS Somerset remains available to support anyone who needs help with their health during this difficult time.
- For advice on health conditions or to check symptoms, individuals can visit nhs.uk or call 111.
- Those needing clinical advice about a developing health condition can call 111, where clinicians can provide guidance and arrange a call‑back if required.
- Somerset has 90 community pharmacies with highly experienced pharmacists who can offer clinical advice on more than 40 common conditions and provide prescriptions for 7 common conditions, including eye infections and UTIs, as part of the Pharmacy First service.
- The local mental health service offers a 24/7 helpline, also available online during daytime hours. The service can be reached via Mindline Somerset on 0800 138 1692 (freephone) or 01823 276892 (local rate).
- Urgent treatment centres across Somerset are available to help with urgent care needs, including sprains, broken bones, head injuries, bites, eye infections, and chest and throat infections. These centres are located in Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Chard, Bridgwater, Minehead (Minor Injury Unit), and Yeovil.
For more detailed information on how the NHS in Somerset can support residents this winter – including access to warm hubs, pain cafés, free food support, domestic violence assistance, and financial help – individuals can visit the NHS Somerset winter webpages.
Preparing for flooding
- Sign up for flood warnings at gov.uk/get-flood-warnings
- Call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for updates, to sign up for warnings, or to report flooding
- Visit gov.uk/prepare-for-flooding or somersetprepared.org.uk for advice on what to do During a flood
- Call 999 if there is a risk to life
Report flooding to:
- EA (main rivers or sea): 0800 80 70 60
- Somerset Council (ordinary watercourses): 0300 123 2224
- Wessex Water (sewers): 0345 600 4600
Check for flooding updates at check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk.
Visit gov.uk/help-during-flood or somersetprepared.org.uk for guidance.
Advice for residents
The Council’s Communications Team is sharing information about where to find useful information for what to do to prepare for flooding.
Anyone worried about flooding or impacted by flooding can find advice and guidance via the Council’s Flooding information and advice page.
Anyone needing to leave their home due to flooding is reminded to take any medication they may need with them.
Do not drive through flood water. More information about safety during floods on the road can be found on Somerset Road Safety’s Adverse weather conditions page.
Reporting problems
To report flooding on a road or blocked drains on a road, use the report a problem on a road form.
If your property is owned by the Council and has been affected by flooding, please visit the Housing repairs page or call 0300 123 2224.
For urgent housing needs, contact the Housing Team on 0800 123 2224. Further information can be found on the Homelessness guidance page.
Stay up to date
For the latest travel updates, follow @TravelSomerset on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or visit the Roadworks and travel information page.
Find out the current status of roads that have Emergency road closure gates.
