Somerset Council, emergency services and key partners continue joint response effort
Somerset Council has been working alongside emergency services, health colleagues, the Environment Agency, local voluntary organisations and other key partners in response to the county’s latest flooding incident.
Multi-agency meetings have been taking place several times a day since Storm Chandra, with a major incident cell centred at Bridgwater Police Station to co-ordinate operations.
Emergency Response and Recovery Team
The major incident remains in place with further rain expected and further flooding of homes possible, particularly in the Moorland, Saltmoor and Currymoor areas.
The Council has redeployed staff from their usual duties to support the incident response.
Previous updates can be viewed via the Council’s Newsroom archive.
On the ground support
Latest update and advice for residents:
- Water levels have not increased significantly overnight; however, further rainfall is forecast for the next few days, so the major incident remains in place.
- Council staff are visiting homes in areas which may be at risk of flooding.
- Residents are not being advising to evacuate but to be prepared in case the situation worsens and that becomes necessary.
- They have been asked: Are you able to stay with friends or family for a day or so? Do you have somewhere you could go or insurance that could support with accommodation?
- If there is a need to evacuate, residents will be contacted by the police, Somerset Council staff or by receiving a flood warning from the Environment Agency.
- Plans are in place to stand up rest centres should they be needed.
- Anyone choosing to stay somewhere else has been asked to let the Council know so that houses are not checked unnecessarily. Main Council number is 0300 123 2224.
Anyone affected by flooding is encouraged to please report it using the Council’s flood reporting form.
In an emergency residents should always call 999 immediately.
Environment Agency update
Current situation
As the weekend approaches, water levels across the Somerset Levels and Moors are stabilising. Recent rainfall is keeping river levels high, and all spillways continue to operate.
There are currently 6 Flood Warnings and 11 Flood Alerts in place across Somerset. The Environment Agency (EA) is encouraging people to continue to check details daily via GOV.UK’s Check for flooding in Somerset page.
The weather remains unsettled with further yellow weather warnings in place for rain. The ground is saturated so catchments will respond quickly.
The EA is working against relatively small spring tides next week with their pumping operations. They will maximise opportunities to pump water out of the moors when river levels allow and their teams continue working 24/7.
The EA is also using the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal to help move water out of the catchments. The organisation appreciates the public’s patience during yesterday’s overnight road closure.
Across the whole of Somerset, the number of properties flooded remain around 50. The EA continues to work closely with its partners to support affected households.
For updates on the road network, follow @TravelSomerset on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Current actions being taken
- 2 pumps have now been installed at Elson Clyse and should be operational today.
- In Saltmoor, 3 additional pumps are operating.
- 2 further pumps have been installed at Northmoor, bringing the total to 8.
- Pump installation is underway at Westonzoyland and is scheduled to take place on Saturday at Haymoor.
- Pumps are being arranged for installation at Dunball for next week.
- Flow restrictions are being reviewed as a matter of urgency to ensure as much water can get to the pumping stations as possible. The EA will be at Moorland Village Hall tomorrow (31 January) between 10.30am and 1pm.
What you need to do – an important reminder
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.
Somerset Council and partner agencies are asking residents and visitors to avoid travelling to or through flooded areas unless absolutely necessary.
Dogwalkers are being asked to keep pets away from flooded paths, fields, and riverbanks. Animals can be swept away quickly, and rescuing them diverts emergency resources at a time of high demand.
Staying away from affected areas helps keep people safe and supports the countywide response effort. The organisation thanks residents for their continued support in protecting local communities.
Reporting helps organisations coordinate and prioritise support. You can do this by calling the EA’s Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
Since a major incident was declared, the multi-agency response to the flooding has been stepped up.
For welfare needs, including animal welfare, please contact Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224.
Avon and Somerset Police update
Neighbourhood Superintendent, Lisa Simpson, said:
We acknowledge our communities are at a higher state of anxiety now, and our role within this multi-agency partnership is to make residents feel safe, to provide a reassuring presence, and to support the other emergency services if there is a need to evacuate.
We will have a heightened presence in the areas which are at the greatest risk of flooding, and we will ensure those locations remain safe in the potential absence of residents so that will not become another cause for concern.
Residents will continue to see us over the weekend on patrols, and we will keep people informed on the most up to date information, make sure they have everything they need, and to escalate any concerns they may share with us on the ground.
We remain committed to working alongside our partner agencies to keep people informed, and we encourage them to follow official guidance and advice.
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.
Highways updates
Clear-up work has continued today and will be repairing roads over the weekend. Most main roads are clear of flooding, although some minor roads remain impassable.
The A361 and several Moors and Levels roads remain closed and are likely to remain that way for some time until water recedes. Drivers are advised not to attempt to drive through road closures, floodwater may not be visible from the closure point. In some instances roads can also take time to be reopened as repairs are necessary before doing so.
Countywide, the recent weather has caused a high number of defects on roads across Somerset and the Council’s teams are working hard to assess these and fix them 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.
Waste collections
- Recycling and rubbish collections – Thursday: A high number of collections were missed in the Taunton area as crews were helping to complete outstanding collections from the previous day.
- Crews will be prioritising these missed collections today (Friday).
- Crews will also be out collecting tomorrow (Saturday) in Taunton for residents who did not receive a collection as planned on Friday.
- If a collection has been missed, residents should leave their bins, boxes and bags out for crews to return the next day.
Please keep an eye on social media for updates, as the situation may change quickly. Residents can also report a missed collection online.
Schools
For the latest information on school closures, visit the Council’s School closures page.
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:
- Environment Agency (main rivers or sea): 0800 80 70 60
- Somerset Council (ordinary watercourses): 0300 123 2224
- Wessex Water (sewers): 0345 600 4600
Weather forecast
Forecast is unsettled with heavy showers and strong winds.
Today (Friday): Many places will start fairly bright with sunny intervals but soon becoming wet in Cornwall with periods of heavy rain spreading eastwards through this afternoon. Risk of localised flooding. Turning windy with a chance of coastal gales by this evening. Maximum temperature 10 °C.
Tonight (Friday): Wet and windy for many this evening and overnight with periods of heavy rain, but also occasional drier and clearer spells, especially later. A mild night with coastal gales possible. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
Saturday: Cloudy for many with spells of rain through the morning. Tending to become drier with just scattered showers by the afternoon and brightening up in the west. Winds gradually easing. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday: Drier on Sunday with low cloud and fog lingering for some, although most seeing the sunshine break through. Increasingly unsettled early next week with wet and windy weather at times.
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. If there is serious risk to life due to flooding always call 999.
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.
