Posted on by David Walton

Somerset Levels and Moors Update – 14th December 2023

Current situation

It is an improving picture across all areas of the Somerset Levels and Moors, but there remains a lot of standing water in the moors and in low-lying areas. Drier weather this week has seen river levels slowly drop, which has allowed more pumping to take place in both the Axe/Brue and Parrett/Tone catchments. The forecast through the weekend remains mostly settled, with no significant rainfall totals expected. However, unsettled weather may return from Tuesday onwards.

November was the fifth consecutive month that the Wessex area received above average rainfall, making this the fourth wettest July to November period since records began in 1871. Ground conditions are still wet and will remain responsive to further rainfall for some time to come. With this in mind, we are proactively installing extra pumps at several stations to increase our capacity to empty the moors ahead of any change in the weather.

As well as the pumps currently being installed at Westover and Huish Episcopi, we’re also deploying extra pumps to increase capacity at Long Load, Midelney and North Drain pumping stations. In addition, pumps are being delivered to Northmoor pumping station today and will be installed on Monday, weather depending. Installing these proactively means that we can minimise disturbance to the community in the lead-up to the holiday period. There may be short periods of up to 15 minutes when traffic needs to be held on Huntworth Lane to allow for equipment movements. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The emergency flood gates on Cutts Road, New Road and Langport Road remain closed by Somerset Council Highways. We continue to work closely with Somerset Council to monitor conditions on Law Lane at Muchelney, but water levels in this area are slowly dropping.

There are two flood warnings and three flood alerts in place for Somerset. For the most up to date information please check: https://check–for–flooding.service.gov.uk/alerts–and–warnings.

Outlook

Weather over the weekend is expected to be largely dry, but there are signals for a return to more unsettled weather from Tuesday onwards, when an area of persistent and potentially heavy rainfall looks likely to move across southern and central parts of England and Wales. There is a good chance unsettled conditions will return to all areas within 6-10 days from now.

 Somerset Rivers Authority Flood Action Plan

Somerset Rivers Authority is a partnership of Flood Risk Management organisations in Somerset. They are currently reviewing their Flood Action Plan and are seeking views from members of the public about how to reduce the risks and impacts of flooding across Somerset over the next ten years. They are holding two online events in the New Year:

See https://srastrategy.co.uk to contribute your views, or to find out more.

Flooding advice and information

Our advice to the public is to stay safe and not enter floodwater – just 30 cm of fast flowing water can move a car, and just 15 cm of fast flowing water could be enough to knock you off your feet.

What to do to prepare for flooding

Or visit:  www.somersetriversauthority.org.uk

What to do during a flood

Recovery from Flooding

Or https://floodmary.com/wp–content/uploads/2023/02/homeowners–guide–to–floodrecovery.pdf

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/somerset–talking–therapies/

For all enquiries, or if you would like to be added to the distribution list for Somerset Levels and Moors updates, please email WessexEnquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk