A361 closed near East Lyng because of flooding

Somerset County Council closed the A361 across the Somerset Levels at 5am this morning (Friday 13 January), because of rising water levels and warnings from the Environment Agency.

Road users are now being urged to plan ahead and use an alternative route.

The emergency road closure gates at Burrowbridge and East Lyng are now shut.

Last night the Environment Agency confirmed that Currymoor, one of the largest flood storage reservoirs on the Somerset Levels and Moors, was full.

Overnight inspections confirmed a further significant increase in floodwaters at Currymoor and the A361 rest area became flooded.

Further flooding has followed this morning.

The flood gates have been closed to keep people safe. Text continues below image of flood gates closed early this morning.

It is the second time the A361 has been closed this week, with decisions being taken following information received from the Environment Agency.

Excess water is continuing to flow down a spillway into the next storage areas at Northmoor and Saltmoor, which are currently empty. However, this creates a flood risk to the A361, with a high chance of water getting onto the road.

A flood warning remains in place for Currymoor and Haymoor.

Following 2014, emergency road closure gates were installed at eight locations, including between Burrowbridge and East Lyng on the A361, to prevent vehicles getting stuck in flood waters. Text continues below image.

The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation and using all available opportunities to reduce the water level of Currymoor. In the meantime, it urges motorists not to drive through flood water. Just 30cm of moving water is enough to float a car, and by driving through flood water, drivers open themselves up to the risk of being swept away and having to be rescued or getting stranded after their car engine takes in water and stops.

You can check if emergency road closure gates are open or closed at https://www.travelsomerset.co.uk/roadclosuregates and get travel updates from @TravelSomerset.

Check your flood risk at https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk