The flooding situation in Somerset is no longer being treated as a Major Incident with conditions improving and the clean-up and recovery underway.
However, partner agencies working together on the response – Somerset Council, the Environment Agency (EA), emergency services, health and other partners – would like to reassure communities that work continues and ongoing support remains in place.
A Major Incident was declared following Storm Chandra on 27 January to co-ordinate the multi-agency emergency response and ensure resources were available should the situation deteriorate further.
Although the weather forecast remains changeable with more rain expected in coming days, conditions on the ground continue to improve. It has now been agreed the incident will move into a recovery phase from today (Wednesday 18 February).
Agencies will continue to monitor and respond to ongoing issues, with pumping operations continuing. See the EA update below for further details.
The next multi-agency update is planned for Friday 20 February.
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.
Environment Agency update
Partners in the Local Resilience Forum have taken the decision to stand down the Major Incident following a general improvement in conditions across the Somerset Levels and Moors.
Although the Major Incident has been scaled down, the Environment Agency’s operational response remains unaffected. Staff continue to monitor conditions, check assets, operate pumps and issue flood alerts and warnings as required, with teams on duty 24 hours a day. The Environment Agency is continuing to work closely with partners including Somerset Council, the emergency services and the Internal Drainage Boards.
The forecast for today is wet, with light rain followed by a band of more persistent rainfall this evening and overnight. A Met office weather warning remains in place for southern England, including Somerset. Rain is expected to ease on Thursday morning, with a drier day forecast. The longer‑term outlook for Friday and the weekend remains unsettled, with further showers expected.
River levels have fallen and current operations are successfully reducing water volumes on the moors. However, as the ground remains fully saturated, catchments are still sensitive to further rainfall.
5 Flood Warnings and 8 Flood Alerts remain in place across Somerset. People are encouraged to check Flood Warning updates for local information and to view water levels via GOV.UK’s Find river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels page.
A significant pumping effort continues across the Somerset Levels and Moors, with operations prioritised to reduce risk to property. This remains a fine balancing act, as removing floodwater too quickly in one area can increase flood risk elsewhere downstream. Local conditions may not always reflect the wider picture, and pumping may need to pause until water has moved through the wider system. Environment Agency staff are on duty 24 hours a day to maximise the evacuation of water across the whole of the Somerset Levels and Moors.
High tides expected towards the end of the week may reduce capacity in the main channels. Conditions will continue to be closely monitored and pumping maximised whenever possible.
Further information is available in the EA’s How the Somerset Moors work document.
What the Environment Agency is doing
- Additional pumps have been deployed to 19 locations across the Somerset Levels and Moors. Teams are operating day and night to monitor, service, refuel and run pumps whenever conditions allow.
- With falling river levels in the Parrett catchment, station pumps have been operating at West Sedgemoor, Midelney, Huish Episcopi, Westover and Currymoor, and continue to run at Northmoor and Saltmoor.
- Extra pumps have also been running at Northmoor, Saltmoor, Westonzoyland, Dunball and Haymoor.
- Additional pumps have been deployed to Westover and Huish Episcopi and will become operational once installation is complete and river levels allow.
- River levels on the Tone have dropped sufficiently for pumps to operate at Currymoor and Haymoor, with pumping currently taking place at the maximum rate allowed by river levels. Further pumps are being deployed to Currymoor for use once levels fall further.
- Heavy rainfall in the upper Brue catchment has kept river levels high. Pumping is taking place at North Drain Pumping Station whenever river capacity allows, although this is affected by both upstream flows and high tides. Additional pumps have been deployed to maximise every opportunity to move water. Staff are present on site 24 hours a day to ensure pumps are activated immediately whenever river levels permit.
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.
Sign up to flood warnings to receive by text, phone or email, or call Floodline to sign up to flood warnings, find out what is happening near you, and get advice on 0345 988 1188 or textphone on 0345 602 6340.
For welfare needs, including animal welfare, contact Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224.
Find more information and local gauge levels via GOV.UK’s Find river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels page.
Further useful information can be found in the EA’s How the Somerset Moors work document.
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.
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, the emergency road closure gates remain closed on the A361 between Burrowbridge and East Lyng, Cutts Road, the Langport to Muchelney Road, and New Road, West Lyng.
Please do not ignore road closure signs.
Also:
- Aller Drove, Wetmoor Lane and Thorney Road near Langport; Godney Road from B3151 to Godney Drove crossroads; Ruggs Drove, Chedzoy.
- Red Hill, Oath, Curry Rivel; Wickmoor, Wick, Curry Rivel
- 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.
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.
