Somerset remains in the grip of a major incident following the impact of Storm Chandra and persistent heavy rainfall across the region.
On Monday, January 27, the county experienced over 50mm of rain at the peak of the storm, causing rivers to overflow and flooding numerous homes and businesses. Since then, Somerset Council has held multi-agency meetings multiple times daily, operating a major incident cell based at Bridgwater Police Station to coordinate the response efforts.
In an update on Friday, January 30, the council confirmed that although water levels have stabilized somewhat overnight, more rain is forecast in the coming days, meaning the major incident status remains active.
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Floodwaters have affected approximately 50 properties across Somerset, with areas such as Moorland, Saltmoor, and Currymoor identified as particularly vulnerable to further flooding.
Council teams are actively visiting homes in high-risk zones to provide support. While no evacuation orders have been issued, residents are urged to stay prepared should the situation deteriorate and evacuations become necessary.
The Environment Agency (EA) currently has six flood warnings and 11 flood alerts in place throughout Somerset. The agency noted that water levels across the Somerset Levels and Moors are stabilizing, but ongoing rainfall sustains high river levels with all spillways operational.
The EA also highlighted ongoing 24/7 pumping operations, leveraging the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal to manage water flow. With smaller spring tides expected next week, they aim to optimize pumping efforts to mitigate flooding.
Storm Chandra marks the third significant storm to affect the South West region this month, following Goretti earlier in January and Ingrid over the recent weekend. Each brought heavy rains that have collectively strained flood defenses, leading to widespread river overflow and infrastructure disruptions.
Looking ahead, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Devon and Cornwall starting the evening of January 30 through January 31. Rainfall between 10 and 20mm is anticipated broadly, with up to 30mm possible in the moors and western Cornwall. Given already saturated ground, this may cause additional flooding and disruption, accompanied by strong winds in some areas.
Residents in affected regions are advised to remain vigilant and stay informed about weather updates and safety guidance.