The latest briefing from Environment Agency Wessex about water levels in catchments across Somerset. Additional pumps are being installed, but as Currymoor is now full the A361 may flood. The situation across the whole county is being closely monitored.
An 11 January Environment Agency Wessex briefing about the current situation on the Somerset Levels and Moors following recent heavy rain, and with a wet weather warning issued for Thursday 12 January. The Environment Agency has been maximising pumping when river levels and tides allow. Pumping stopped Currymoor from filling up and prevented Athelney spillway from running. The A361 has been re-opened, but is still being closely monitored. Hook Bridge, Allermoor and Beasley's spillways have been running when the river channels are full. Pumps have operated intermittently as they only pump when there is capacity in the rivers.
Somerset County Council has closed the A361 across the Somerset Levels following warnings from the Environment Agency that floodwaters are likely to spill onto the road. Road users are urged to plan ahead and use an alternative route, as emergency road closure gates at Burrowbridge and East Lyng were closed from 6pm on Tuesday 10 January.
A 9 January Environment Agency Wessex briefing about the current situation on the Somerset Levels and Moors following recent heavy rain, and with more intermittent rain forecast. Trigger points for action have been met at Northmoor and Saltmoor pumping stations, pre-emptive action is being taken at Dunball.
A useful briefing prepared by local Environment Agency officers about the current situation with flood water on the Somerset Levels and Moors, following recent heavy rain. Includes background, current situation and outlook. "We, and our partners at the Somerset Rivers Authority, are well prepared should the weather get worse this winter."
A public drop-in session to let people know the latest news about the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier scheme is being held on Wednesday 30 November at St Mary's Church in Bridgwater.
The Environment Agency - a partner in Somerset Rivers Authority - is urging people who live in areas at risk of flooding to prepare now, and take proper actions to protect their home, possessions and family. There are ongoing drought conditions in Somerset and neighbouring counties, but a key message of this year's annual Flood Action Week event (7 to 13 November 2022) is: do not be lulled into a false sense of security.
Backed by Somerset Rivers Authority, the National Trust is leading a major, pioneering project to reconnect part of the River Aller on Exmoor to its original floodplain. Work on the National Trust's Holnicote estate in West Somerset has been inspired by the success of 'Stage 0' river restoration schemes in the United States. National Trust project manager Ben Eardley says: “We now have a tried and tested method to start reversing the damage done to our rivers. ‘Stage 0’ floodplain reconnection completely resets natural processes – it’s like the ‘ctrl, alt, delete’ equivalent of a computer reset - and lets the river decide what it wants to be. By seeing the river and its surrounding landscape as a whole, we can build resilience and boost biodiversity.”
A support group founder and a village community group are the first two winners of the new Somerset Community Resilience Award, launched in 2022 to celebrate Somerset volunteers who make a difference locally.
Works to reduce flood risks for drivers on the A359 through Marston Magna, and village properties, finished one week ahead of schedule on 28 October 2022. Somerset County Council's Highways department made various important repairs and improvements, following on from research into local flooding problems done for Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA).
Extra funding for three projects to reduce local flood risks has been approved by the Board of Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA). Members acted to ensure that maintenance dredging along the River Parrett, and works on culverts and other features in Rode and Beckington, could go ahead in the next few weeks and months.
Work has begun on a £4.2 million refurbishment of Dunball Sluice north of Bridgwater, one of the Environment Agency’s most important tidal defence assets. Improvements are due to be completed by 2024. They are largely being funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) contributing an additional £650,000 as part of its mission to give Somerset greater flood protection.