Multi-agency support continues with response teams on the ground reassuring communities and ready to act if necessary
- The situation remains stable but the ground is saturated and catchments continue to be very sensitive to additional rainfall.
- Unless there is a change in the situation this update will be sent out every other weekday. The next update will be Monday 9 February.
A major incident remains in place – the situation is stable, rates of rise in the downstream moors (Northmoor, Saltmoor) are slowly reducing. Levels in the moors upstream of Langport (Huish Episcopi, Midelney and Westover) are reducing slowly as well. But further rain is forecast in the coming days and the weather remains unsettled.
Operations are still being co-ordinated involving Somerset Council, emergency services, health colleagues, the Environment Agency (EA), local voluntary organisations and other key partners.
No information points were held today, however all partner agencies remain available for any queries or concerns. Please see contacts below.
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 are being monitored.
In line with the principles of the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum plan, the first Recovery Working Group has met to look at planning the recovery operation.
Highways and transport
The clear-up work continues. County-wide the recent weather has caused a high number of defects on roads across Somerset, and teams are working hard to assess these and fix them in order of priority.
Over the last 2 weeks the service has had 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.
Key road closures
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.
A small number of minor roads remain closed.
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.
Housing and evacuation support
- Only a small number of temporary accommodation placements have been required so far, and not in priority areas identified earlier.
- Housing teams are planning ahead.
Anyone affected by flooding is encouraged to please report it using the Council’s flood reporting form.
Environment Agency update
Moderate rainfall has been recorded over the last 24 hours with between 7mm and 21mm falling across Somerset. Unsettled conditions are expected over the weekend with persistent bands of rain and heavy showers overnight Saturday.
Catchments are fully saturated and rivers remain very sensitive to any additional rainfall.
Rates of rise in the downstream moors (Northmoor, Saltmoor) are slowly reducing. Levels in the moors upstream of Langport (Huish Episcopi, Midelney and Westover) are reducing slowly as well. At West Sedgemoor, river levels are still too high to allow us to pump. If we pump too early this could cause a flood risk to others.
Whilst high tides have peaked tide levels remain high for the next few days, which may limit our ability to pump at certain locations. Pumps will continue to operate whenever river levels allow.
5 flood warnings and 11 flood alerts remain in place for rivers across Somerset.
We continue to monitor conditions closely and will respond quickly to any changes.
We encourage people to check for updates regularly.
There is further useful information on how the Levels and Moors operate in this document How the Somerset Levels and Moors Work
What the Environment Agency is doing
- Additional pumps are operational at: Northmoor, Saltmoor, Elson’s Clyce, Westonzoyland and Bridgwater Canal and Docks.
- Additional pumps are installed at Haymoor and will be installed at Currymoor when river levels allow. We cannot use these until river levels drop further.
- When the River Parrett is low enough, we actively operate the River Parrett Flood Relief Channel (Sowy) in agreement with the IDB, to ensure we maximise the amount of water channelled through the system.
- Additional ultra-high-volume pumps are being deployed at Dunball Sluice, we anticipate them becoming operational mid next week. This will assist us to optimise use of the Sowy.
- We have carried out emergency work to improve conveyance at Northmoor Pumping Station and further work is ongoing. The construction of a bypass culvert at Vinneys Bridge is progressing with design, materials secured, and necessary checks that the installation can be completed safely.
- In the Brue catchment, pumping is operational at Gold Corner and North Drain as river levels allow and we continue to operate the Brue Diversion Channel (Cripps River) as required. Additional pumps are being mobilised at North Drain to proactively improve our pumping capacity should it be required.
- Temporary telemetry has been installed on both Longload and Midleney Drains to allow us to continue to monitor levels whilst our permanent gauges are inaccessible and not working.
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 Environment Agency 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.
Waste collections
All recycling and rubbish collections have been completed as normal today, and no delays are expected.
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
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.
