A powerful storm struck Somerset on the evening of Monday, June 22, unleashing heavy rains, thunder, and lightning that led to widespread flash flooding. Homes and businesses were inundated, with some properties losing power amid the severe weather. The storm’s impact was particularly striking in Wells, where a scheduled meeting on flooding and climate change was disrupted by the very conditions it aimed to address.
The “Act to Adapt” workshop, organised by Wells City Council in partnership with Sustainable Wells, was designed to equip residents and businesses with strategies to manage flooding and extreme weather associated with climate change. Ironically, many attendees—including some of the organisers—were unable to join the meeting at Wells Town Hall due to the sudden storm.
The workshop featured Dr. Bel Deering from the Somerset Rivers Authority as the guest speaker, focusing on practical measures to help mitigate flood damage. Sustainable Wells, an environmental group committed to raising awareness of climate impacts, reported that the storm brought an intense downpour, with up to 25.4mm (1 inch) of rain falling in just 15 minutes. The skies darkened dramatically, and strong gusts bent trees and shrubs as flash floods quickly swept through the city, flooding roads and causing shops—including a Tesco store—to close due to water damage.
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Wells City Council issued warnings about several road defects caused by the flooding that same night. Residents were urged to prepare emergency plans and consider practical flood protection devices to minimize damage and reduce stress in future incidents.
The Environment Agency updated its log on June 30, confirming the June 22 thunderstorms triggered flash flooding affecting numerous Somerset towns, damaging homes and businesses. The agency encouraged the public to report flooding incidents, emphasizing that such reports are vital to understanding flood causes and impacts.
Additionally, on June 9, the government announced a £50 million funding boost for flood resilience measures in Somerset. Somerset Council plans to deploy this investment over the next two years to enhance flood risk management, improve preparedness, and strengthen long-term community resilience against extreme weather.