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, 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 Environment Agency update below for further details.
The next multi-agency update is planned for Friday 20 February.
Please view previous updates here.
We are encouraging anybody affected by flooding to please report it here: Flood report – Self Service.
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 step today to stand down the Major Incident. This follows a general improvement in conditions on the Somerset Levels and Moors.
Whilst the major incident has been scaled down, please rest assured that our operational response is unaffected, and we will continue to act as the situation requires. We have staff on duty 24 hours a day monitoring conditions, checking assets, running pumps and issuing flood alerts and warnings as needed. We are continuing to work closely with our 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 wet weather this evening and tonight. A Met office weather warning is in place for Southern England, including Somerset. Rain will ease on Thursday morning, and a drier day is expected tomorrow. The longer-term forecast for Friday and into the weekend remains unsettled with further showers expected.
River levels have come down, and our operations are successfully reducing volumes of water on the moors. However, because the ground is fully saturated, catchments remain sensitive to further rainfall.
5 Flood Warnings and 8 Flood Alerts remain in place across Somerset. We encourage people to check for Flood Warning updates for local information. You can also monitor levels at our gauging stations at Find river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels – GOV.UK.
A significant pumping effort continues on the Somerset Levels and Moors, with operations prioritised according to reducing risk to property. It is a fine balancing act to ensure we remove flood waters as fast as possible across the catchments. Local conditions may not reflect the overall picture; for example it could appear that there is capacity in the river at a specific location, when in fact there is no room downstream. In this case, pumping could increase flood risk elsewhere, so may need to pause until water has moved through the wider system. Staff are on duty 24 hours a day maximising the evacuation of water across the whole of the Somerset Levels and Moors.
There are high tides towards the end of the week which may reduce capacity in the main channels; we will continue to monitor conditions and maximise pumping as conditions allow.
There is further useful information on how the Levels and Moors operate in this document: How the Somerset Levels Work
What we’re doing:
- We have deployed additional pumps to 19 locations across the Somerset Levels and Moors. We have teams out throughout the day and night monitoring, servicing, refuelling and switching on pumps at every opportunity.
- With falling river levels in the Parrett catchment, station pumps have been able to run at West Sedgemoor, Midelney, Huish Episcopi, Westover and Currymoor, as well as continuing to run at Northmoor and Saltmoor.
- Extra pumps have also been running at Northmoor, Saltmoor, Westonzoyland, Dunball and Haymoor.
- Extra pumps have been deployed to Westover and Huish Episcopi, and will be operational once installation is complete and river levels allow.
- River levels in the Tone have dropped enough for pumps to run at Currymoor and Haymoor, and we are pumping the maximum amount of water that the river level will currently allow. Additional pumps are being deployed to Currymoor for use when river levels have dropped further.
- Heavy rainfall in the upper Brue catchment has kept river levels high. We are pumping at North Drain Pumping Station whenever there is capacity in the river, but this is impacted by both the volume of water coming down the catchment as well as high tides. We have deployed additional pumps to North Drain Pumping Station to maximise every opportunity to move water. We have staff on site 24 hours a day; their continuous presence ensures that extra pumps are switched on immediately whenever the river Brue levels allow.
Advice for our communities:
To ensure your safety, please do not walk or drive through flood water. Flood water may be deeper than it looks and contain sewage and hidden hazards.
Report any property flooding as soon as you can. Reporting helps organisations coordinate support and prioritise response. You can do this by calling the Environment Agency Incident Hotline 0800 80 70 60. For non-emergency reporting in Somerset, use the Flood Online Reporting Tool.
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: 0345 988 1188 Textphone: 0345 602 6340
For welfare needs, including animal welfare, please contact Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224.
Situation:
You can see levels in your area at our gauging stations at : Find river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels – GOV.UK.
There is further useful information on how the Levels and Moors operate here: How the Somerset Levels Work.
Highways and transport
Damage to roads
County-wide the recent weather has caused a high number of defects on roads across Somerset, and our teams are working hard to assess and fix these in order of priority.
If you spot a problem, please ensure that these are reported here as soon as you can: Report a problem on the road. This is the quickest route for incidents to get picked up.
We would continue to ask people to be patient during this time, urgent repairs to defects may cause some travel disruption, we are grateful for people’s understanding.
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 here Roadworks and travel information and follow @travelsomerset on X and FB for travel updates.
NHS Somerset update
The NHS in Somerset is here for you if you need any help with your health during this difficult time.
- If you need advice on health conditions, or to check symptoms, visit 111 online or phone 111.
- If you need clinical advice about a developing health condition, phone 111. They can provide advice and where needed, arrange for a clinician to phone you back to discuss your symptoms.
- We have 90 community pharmacies in Somerset with highly experienced community pharmacists who can give you clinical advice on over 40 common conditions and prescriptions for seven common conditions, including eye infections and UTI’s as of our Pharmacy First service.
- Our mental health service offers a 24/7 helpline (also available seven days a week online during the day). Phone Mindline Somerset on 0800 138 1692 (freephone) or 01823 276892 (local rate).
- We have urgent treatment centres that can help you with urgent care, including everything from sprains and broken bones, to head injuries, bites, eye infections and chest and throat infections. They are in Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Chard, Bridgwater, Minehead (Minor Injury Unit), Yeovil.
For more information about how we can help look after you this winter visit winter web pages. This includes help with everything from where you can find a warm hub, pain cafes and help with free food, to support if you are experiencing domestic violence or help if you are struggling financially.
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.
