“Major incident stood down”: Somerset Levels & Moors flood water briefing 25 January 2023
This is a briefing prepared on Monday 23 January by local Environment Agency officers about an improved state of affairs on the Somerset Levels and Moors.
As the level of flood risk is now reduced, the Environment Agency and its partners in Somerset’s Local Resilience Forum have decided that the situation should no longer be classed as a Major Incident.
This does not change or reduce the level of partners’ operational response. Matters are still being closely monitored and the Environment Agency is well placed to react swiftly should the need arise.
The enhanced temporary pumping capacity currently in place on the Somerset Levels and Moors will be kept in place until the end of the winter.
This briefing describes activities being carried out by the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency is a partner in Somerset Rivers Authority, along with Somerset County Council (which includes Somerset Highways), the four district councils, the Parrett and Axe Brue Internal Drainage Boards, Natural England, and the Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.
Download a PDF of this briefing: Environment Agency update briefing on Somerset Levels Moors 25 January 2023
Current status
Across the Somerset Levels and Moors, one flood warning and a number of flood alerts remain in place:
- Curry Moor and Hay Moor
The weather has continued to be dry, with a settled short-term forecast. All spillways have stopped running and water levels in all moors continue to drop. With the reduced level of risk and the improving situation, we [=the Environment Agency] and our partners at the Local Resilience Forum made the decision to stand down the Major Incident yesterday (Tuesday 24 January).
This does not change or reduce the level of our operational response. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and are well placed to react swiftly should the need arise.
Pumping activity is underway at Currymoor, Saltmoor, Northmoor, West Sedgemoor, Long Load, Westover, Huish Episcopi, Midelney and Dunball.
In addition there are temporary pumps running at Elson’s Clyce, Haymoor, Fordgate, Kitch Drove and Bridgwater Docks.
We have been moving some of the smaller pumps throughout the incident to ensure they are working in the most effective way – for example, by relocating pumps to deeper water when the levels have dropped.
The public are reminded it is not safe to enter areas or compounds where pumping operations are underway.
The reducing water levels at some of our pumping stations means that we have had to turn off some of the additional temporary pumps. However, we are continuing to run the permanent pumps at these sites to ensure water levels on the moors fall as quickly as possible.
We encourage riparian owners to check their culverts and ditches, and clear any blockages to ensure free flowing water to our pumps. For more information on riparian owner responsibilities see: Owning a watercourse
We will keep our enhanced temporary capacity in place until the end of the winter. Some of the pumps we have used come from our national pool of emergency pumps and might be needed to support pumping in other parts of the country if we have serious flooding elsewhere. To ensure this does not affect our ability to respond locally if conditions change, we are already planning how we would source other pumps.
We are running one drop-in session this week at Moorland Village Hall on Thursday 26 January from 5 – 7pm. If you have any questions or concerns, please drop in at any time to speak to staff.
Somerset County Council Highways have reopened the A361, and as water recedes they will make the decision about when it is safe to open Cutts Road, New Road and Langport Road. As water recedes, we continue to urge motorists not to attempt to drive through flood water.
Additional Information and advice
Our next briefing will be on Friday (27 January 2023). Our social media will continue to provide regular updates.
The Environment Agency on social media: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/environmentagencywessex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EnvAgencySW
Or visit: Somerset Rivers Authority
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SomersetRiversAuthority
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SRAnews
Prepare for flooding in advance and stay up-to-date on weather information and warnings: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/plan-ahead-for-flooding
What to do during a flood
Information to help you on what to do during a flood is in the Useful Info section of the Somerset Rivers Authority website.
Remember: Always stay safe. In an immediate flood emergency or where there is a risk to life, follow the advice of the emergency services. If you would like to be added to the distribution list for Somerset Levels and Moors updates, please email aceo.wessex@environment-agency.gov.uk