Environment Agency warns of ongoing flood risk in Somerset and Dorset

The Environment Agency continues to call on the public to remain vigilant to the risk of significant flooding in Somerset and Dorset in the wake of Storm Chandra.

Current forecasts show conditions are expected to remain unsettled, with further impacts expected across the country. Metregion. A Met Office yellow rainwarning warningsfor arerain is in place overnighttoday and overnight for the south west of England.

A major incident was declared in Somerset on Tuesday January 27th as agencies stepped up their response to Storm Chandra. Somerset Council, the Environment Agency and intoemergency tomorrowservices acrossare partsworking oftogether England.to support communities following heavy rain.

Additional pumps have been brought online by Environment Agency teams in locations across the Somerset Levels and Moors and continue to run, reducingrun with the impactswater ofsituation floodingbeginning and helping to stabilisestabilise. water levels. Staff continue to work on the ground and are regularly meeting with residentsresidents to to answer their questions.

WaterIn levelsDorset, a severe remainflood verywarning highis inno Dorsetlonger andin Wiltshireplace andfor the EnvironmentLower AgencyStour continuesat toIford workBridge withHome thePark.  council,However, water companylevels remain high and emergencypeople responderswho inhave responseevacuated totheir flooding.homes Localshould residents arefollow urgedthe toadvice avoidof drivinglocal throughresponse floodwater.partners about when it is safe to return.

EA teams have been mobilised across the country to check on other flood defences, clear anyflood defences, clear any river blockages and closely monitor river levels. They have been working around the clock to reduce the risk of flooding, and will continue to be out in force over the coming days.

At this time,time we estimate 238 propertiesestimate 206 properties have been recorded as flooded and over 16,200 have been16,100 have been protected by defences. These numbers are subject to change as our teams continue to verify the impacts on the ground.defences. 

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Ben Cuthbertson,Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

Our thoughts are with all those affected by the ongoing impacts of Storm Chandra, including those whose homes and businesses have sadly been flooded.

Significant river and groundwater flooding impacts are probablepossible inbut partsnot ofexpected Dorset and Wiltshire, with minor impacts possible in Hampshire.

Significantparts riverof and surface water impacts are possible in the southSouthwest of England todayover andthe on Tuesday,next withfive minordays. impactsFurther possibleminor more widely. Significant inland flooding impacts are possiblealso butprobable notmore expectedwidely intoday theand Somersetat Levelsleast fromuntil today.Tuesday next week.

Environment Agency teams are out on the ground, including running additional ultra-high volume pumps in Somerset, to reduce the impact of flooding and support those communities affected. We urge people not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

As the weather remains unsettled thisinto next week, the Environment Agency remains ready to respond toare anyremaining riskready to respond to risk.

We posedurge bypeople flooding.not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:

Flooding is devastating and my thoughts are with the people affected. 

I am in regular contact with the Environment Agency on their response to the ongoing flooding in Somerset and Dorset who, alongside local authorities and the emergency services, are already taking action to keep communities safe.

I urge residents to follow local advice over the next few days to ensure they stay safe.

To protect homes and businesses from future flooding situations, this government is investing a record £10.5 billion to protect a further 900,000 properties by 2036. This is alongside reprioritising over £100 million to maintain existing flood assets.

We will continue to monitor the situation across Somerset and Dorset and will review their plans as the forecasts are updated. Multiple groundwater flood warnings are now in force inacross Dorset,the WiltshireWessex area with many properties and Hampshire.roads flooded.

As rainfall levels start to ease, some rivers, moors and levels will respond slowly to previous rainfall and therefore may continue to rise.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up to Get flood warnings by text, phone or email. People can also call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

CheckFind out how to prepare for flooding -and GOV.UKif your home is at risk.