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 are taking place several times a day since Storm Chandra, with a major incident cell centred at Bridgwater Police Station to co-ordinate operations. Meetings are continuing throughout the weekend to ensure a state of preparedness is maintained.
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, though currently the situation remains stable.
The Council has redeployed staff from their usual duties to support the incident response.
Environment Agency, Police and Somerset Council officers have been in Moorlands Village Hall on Saturday Morning. Avon and Somerset Police officers are patrolling in the area throughout the weekend.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are on stand-by and ready to be deployed.
To view previous updates, visit 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 into next week, with a yellow weather warning in place from Monday into Tuesday. As a result, the Major Incident declaration remains in place.
- Visits to homes in areas that may be at risk of flooding are continuing, with officers from Avon and Somerset Police and Somerset Council present on the ground.
- Residents are not currently being advised to evacuate. However, they are being asked to remain prepared in case the situation worsens and evacuation becomes necessary.
- Residents have been asked to consider whether they would be able to stay with friends or family for a day or so, whether they have somewhere they could go, or whether their insurance could support alternative accommodation if required.
- If evacuation becomes necessary, residents will be contacted by the police, Somerset Council staff, or through a flood warning issued by the Environment Agency.
- Plans are in place to open rest centres should they be needed.
- Anyone choosing to stay elsewhere is asked to inform the Council so that unnecessary property checks are avoided. The main Council contact number is 0300 123 2224.
Anyone affected by flooding is encouraged to please report it using the Council’s flood reporting form.
Environment Agency update
No further property flooding has been reported overnight across Somerset, and levels on the River Tone have stabilised. A Met Office Yellow Weather Warning for rain is in place from 12pm Monday to 9am Tuesday, with further unsettled weather forecast for the week ahead.
There are currently 5 Flood Warnings and 11 Food Alerts in place across Somerset. People are encouraged to continue checking details on a daily basis.
The Environment Agency is also responding to incidents in Wiltshire and Dorset, where groundwater levels have risen to record highs following last week’s heavy rainfall. Early action taken on the Somerset Levels means the Agency is in a strong position to continue supporting local communities in Somerset while also deploying additional resources to areas now experiencing the greatest pressure.
This is the final briefing of this kind to be issued. From Monday 2 February, a single, joint stakeholder briefing will be provided with multi‑agency partners, led by Somerset Council. This approach is intended to ensure communities receive clear and consistent information in one place. Joint updates will continue to be shared.
What the Environment Agency is doing
Pumps continue to operate where river levels allow.
The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal continues to be used as a relief channel.
To help move the maximum amount of water through the system and reduce the impact of high tides next week, Monksleaze Clyse is being opened. Flows in the River Parrett from Langport have reduced sufficiently to allow floodwater to be safely monitored and diverted down the Parrett Flood Relief Channel. This will help lower levels on the River Tone, reduce flows into Currymoor, and lower water levels upstream of Langport. Contingency pumps have also been installed at Aller Drove and the Westonzoyland Flood Alleviation Schemes.
Flow restrictions on the main drains feeding pumping stations are being reviewed to ensure maximum use of the pumps.
Staff remain on the ground inspecting assets to ensure they are fully operational and to identify any issues at an early stage.
What residents need to do
For safety reasons, people are advised not to walk or drive through floodwater, which may be deeper than it appears and could contain sewage or 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. For welfare needs, including animal welfare, residents are advised to contact Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224.
Avon and Somerset Police update
Officers are patrolling on the ground in the key areas over the weekend and visiting addresses vulnerable to flooding.
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.
Remember if you have an emergency, please continue to call 999 or visit your Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.
Highways updates
Clear-up work has continued today, the team 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 & 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 our 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
There was a high number of missed collections in the Taunton area.
Crews will be out collecting today (Saturday), for residents who did not get a collection as planned on Friday.
If their 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
- Check for flooding updates at check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk
- Visit gov.uk/help-during-flood or somersetprepared.org.uk for guidance
Weather forecast
Forecast is remains unsettled, no significant rain overnight (Friday into Saturday), nothing significant expected over the weekend, however, yellow warning is in place Monday through to Tuesday with the potential for 10 to 20 mm.
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 yellow weather warning for rain Monday into Tuesday.
Unsettled and wet throughout the rest of the week.
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.
