An update about a very wet winter in the River Axe and River Brue catchments in Somerset, with news of actions being taken in response and advice for people who have been or might be affected by flooding.
A new show of photographs by renowned Somerset-based photographer Matilda Temperley reflects on ten years since the devastating floods of 2013-14. Called Under the Surface - and supported by Somerset Rivers Authority - the exhibition is at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury from Saturday 2 March to Sunday 19 May.
It's 10 years since the wettest winter for 250 years left large swathes of Somerset underwater for weeks, devastating communities, businesses and farming. Much flood defence and risk management work has since taken place, including many schemes funded or part-funded by Somerset Rivers Authority (launched in 2015). Across Somerset, the impacts of climate change mean that resilience and adaptation to flood risks will gradually need to play a bigger part in Somerset’s future.
After Storm Henk last week caused significant flooding with some watercourses reaching their highest ever recorded levels, the situation on the Somerset Levels and Moors is now improving. Flood risks are decreasing daily thanks to more settled weather and ongoing Environment Agency pumping operations.
Storm Henk and heavy rainfall since the New Year mean that river levels are rising and the Somerset moors are very wet. Currently river levels are too high to allow pumping. The Environment Agency will begin pumping as soon as there is enough room in the main river channels to receive the flood water. Looking ahead, the weekend is forecast to be generally dry, with clearer weather in the long-term forecast. But there is now a lot of water in river networks, which will take time to work its way through catchments.
River levels are slowly dropping on the Somerset Levels and Moors, but the July to November period has been the fourth wettest since records began in 1871. Ground conditions are still wet and will remain responsive to further rainfall for some time to come. The Environment Agency is therefore proactively installing extra pumps at several stations - Long Load, Midelney, North Drain and Northmoor - to increase its capacity to empty the moors ahead of any change in the weather.
As river levels stay high in the Brue, Parrett and Tone, additional pumps are going to be deployed by the Environment Agency at Westover and Huish Episcopi pumping stations. This is in readiness for when river levels drop. People in Langport are being asked not to block access to Westover pumping station when parking in that area. The Environment Agency is also monitoring the need for additional pumps at Middleney and Long Load pumping stations.
The latest news from the Environment Agency about river levels and pumping operations in the Axe-Brue and Parrett-Tone catchments. The situation is being closely monitored as water moves through watercourses and rivers, following heavy rainfall earlier this week. A pump is being re-deployed at Elson's Clyse overnight on Thursday 7 December, after a drop-in session for the public at Moorland Village Hall.
After nearly seven centimetres of rain in one day, an Environment Agency update about flooding and prospects for the next few days. Plus: two public events for Somerset Levels and Moors residents at Burrowbridge on 5 December and Moorland on 7 December. The main subjects of these events are flooding and preparations for winter. Somerset Rivers Authority and Somerset Council representatives will also be at both of these drop-in sessions.
A draft strategy for reducing the risks and impacts of flooding across Somerset has been published by Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA). Now we want you to give us your views on the strategy and share any concerns that you may have about flooding in Somerset.