Home / Weather / Somerset on Tenterhooks: More Rain Threatens Flooded County
Somerset on Tenterhooks: More Rain Threatens Flooded County
2 Feb
Summary
- A yellow weather warning for rain is active for Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall.
- Somerset Council has maintained a major incident alert due to widespread flooding.
- Authorities have implemented multiple schemes and contingency pumps for flood mitigation.
A yellow weather warning for rain is in effect for Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall from 12:00 GMT today until 09:00 on Tuesday. This warning comes as a significant concern following extensive flooding from Storm Chandra, leading Somerset Council to keep a major incident alert active. The Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA), established after the 2014 floods, is on high alert, with Councillor Mike Stanton emphasizing the ongoing concern until river levels recede.
Currently, five flood warnings and eleven flood alerts are active across Somerset, with police support on the ground. The SRA has invested approximately £40 million in flood improvement schemes, including river dredging and drain bank reinforcement, since its inception. Stanton highlighted the need for continuous improvements, especially given climate change projections of increased rainfall.
The Environment Agency (EA) has detailed ongoing mitigation efforts. These include opening flood relief structures, managing river flows on the River Parrett and Tone, and reducing water levels in key areas like Currymoor. Contingency pumps have been installed at Aller Drove and Westonzoyland, and work is underway to clear blockages in drainage systems.
