A briefing prepared by the Environment Agency (a partner in Somerset Rivers Authority). January 2026 in Somerset has been very wet, rivers across the county have responded rapidly, and water has moved down the catchments into the Levels and Moors. Anticipating trigger points being met, the Environment Agency initiated the deployment of pumps for Currymoor, Saltmoor and Northmoor. This briefing contains many useful links for getting further information.

With Storm Chandra approaching, and Somerset facing numerous flood warnings and alerts, here are some tips for keeping safe.

A short guide to the SRA-funded dredging being carried out between Burrowbridge and Northmoor Pumping Station in January 2026.

A pioneering river restoration project on the National Trust's Holnicote Estate in West Somerset has won a Silver award at the Global Good Awards 2025. In the River Aller and Horner Water catchments on Exmoor, the National Trust has been creating new waterscapes and wetlands to help reduce flooding and improve habitats. The Trust's wide range of partners in this endeavour has included Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA), which has funded or part-funded 15 individual schemes.

Somerset Council's Executive Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to improving flood defences along two sections of the River Tone in Taunton. The council is working with the Environment Agency on a £6 million project to help protect homes and businesses in Taunton from flooding. More design work will now be done and it is hoped to start building in 2026. This project is part-funded by Somerset Rivers Authority.

Somerset residents are invited to join the annual Somerset Prepared Community Resilience Day on Wednesday 15 October at Taunton Racecourse Conference Centre (10am to 4pm). Entrance is free but you will need to book. Please come along if you'd like to learn more about getting ready for emergencies such as flooding, severe weather, power cuts, or issues on the roads. This year's headline speaker will be the well-known former BBC Points West and national news reporter Clinton Rogers.