“Pumps now outpacing flood water”: Somerset Levels and Moors flood briefing 29 January 2026
This is a briefing prepared on Thursday 29 January 2026 by local Environment Agency staff.
In summary, the Environment Agency now has excess capacity in place to ensure that evacuation of water is maximised whenever conditions allow. Pumps can now remove water from the moors quicker than the system takes to fill the moors with water from further up the catchment. Two more extra pumps are going into Northmoor, extra pumps should be operational at Saltmoor tonight (Thursday 29 January), pumps are going to be installed overnight at Elson’s Clyse, other options are being assessed, for example at Dunball.
The Environment Agency is a partner in Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA), along with Somerset Council, the Parrett and Axe Brue Internal Drainage Boards, Natural England, the Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and Wessex Water.
Current situation
Our staff [= the Environment Agency] are working hard against the impacts of Storm Chandra. The weather has been slightly better with 5mm of rain in the last 24 hours. River levels have dropped but remain high across Somerset and are continuing to fill the moors. All spillways are running. This is an ongoing challenge as recent rain moves through the catchments and the Met Office have multiple yellow weather warnings in place for rain. The ground is saturated and the catchments will respond quickly.
Having initiated deployment ahead of trigger points being met, we have excess capacity in place to ensure evacuation of water is maximised whenever conditions allow. Our pumps can now remove water from the moors quicker than the system takes to fill the moor from further up the catchment. We are monitoring the situation closely, with teams working around the clock both in the field and in incident rooms to coordinate the response.
There are currently 6 flood warnings and 11 alerts are in force across Somerset. We encourage people to check details daily.
Across the whole of Somerset, around 50 properties have been reported as flooded. We are working closely with our partners to support affected households. Please check Travel Somerset for updates on the road network.
Since a major incident was declared, multi-agency response to the flooding has been stepped up. For welfare needs, including animal welfare, please contact Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224.
What we’re doing
We’ll be at Moorland Village Hall on Friday 30 January between 10am and 3pm.
We’re installing temporary pumps overnight at Elson’s Clyce and are endeavouring to begin pumping tomorrow.
To facilitate this we have a temporary road closure from 10.30pm (Thursday 29 January 2026) until 6am (Friday 30 January 2026).
We anticipate the work taking less time than this and will open the road as soon as we can. Emergency access will be allowed as we realise this is the only route into the village.
Six ultra-high volume pumps are already operational at Northmoor, two more pumps are being deployed today and should be operational this week.
Temporary pumps at Saltmoor will be operational tonight. [The Saltmoor picture at the top of this page is by Jason Keswick of the Museum of Steam Power & Land Drainage at Westonzoyland: thanks to him].
Extra staff, pumps and equipment from around the country are being deployed and we are scoping multiple sites across Somerset for additional pumps including Dunball.
We are exploring a range of options for evacuation of water from the wider catchment, including optimising the Sowy flood relief channel.
As a reminder, we cannot pump water into already full rivers above Burrowbridge. Once levels fall, we are ready to maximise the window of opportunity and operate the pumps.
What you need to do
To ensure your safety, please do not walk or drive through flood water. Flood water may be deeper than it looks and contain sewage and hidden hazards.
We encourage you to report any property flooding as soon as you can. Reporting helps organisations coordinate support and prioritise response. You can do this by calling the Environment Agency Incident Hotline 0800 80 70 60.
Preparing for flooding
Sign up for flood warnings at gov.uk/get-flood-warnings
Call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for updates, to sign up for warnings, or to report flooding
Visit gov.uk/prepare-for-flooding for advice on what to do
During a flood
Call 999 if there is a risk to life
Report flooding to:
Environment Agency (main rivers or sea): 0800 80 70 60
Somerset Council (ordinary watercourses): 0300 123 2224
Wessex Water (sewers): 0345 600 4600
Check for flooding updates at check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk
Visit gov.uk/help-during-flood or somersetprepared.org.uk for guidance