Somerset faced severe weather challenges on the evening of Monday, June 22, when a powerful storm unleashed intense rainfall, thunder, and lightning across the region. This extreme weather event caused flash floods that inundated homes, businesses, and streets, leaving many without electricity.
In a striking twist of fate, a planned flood and climate change workshop held in Wells’ town hall was disrupted by the very storm it aimed to address. Organised by Wells City Council in partnership with Sustainable Wells, the workshop titled “Act to Adapt” sought to equip local residents and business owners with strategies to cope with flooding and other climate-related threats.
The storm’s timing prevented many participants, including some organisers, from attending. Social media was flooded with images and videos depicting the sudden flash floods and storm damage. Wells experienced an intense downpour, with as much as 25.4mm (1 inch) of rain falling within just 15 minutes, causing significant water ingress in city centre shops—including Tesco—forcing closures and causing property damage.
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Dr. Bel Deering from the Somerset Rivers Authority was the guest speaker for the event. The workshop emphasized the importance of practical measures such as emergency planning and flood protection equipment to reduce stress and damage during such incidents.
In the aftermath, Wells City Council reported multiple road defects caused by the flash floods. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency updated its Somerset flood records, noting the impact of the June 22 storm and urging residents to report flooding incidents to help inform future flood risk management.
This event underscores the urgent need for ongoing investment and preparedness. The government recently pledged £50 million to Somerset for flood resilience projects, aiming to strengthen long-term defenses and community readiness over a planned two-year programme.