Several flood alerts in place across Somerset as more rain forecast

Flood alerts remain in place across Somerset. File photo of flooding in the county.

Several flood alerts remain in place across Somerset as more rain is forecast to fall on the county. Heavy rainfall has hit Somerset and the wider South West across this week, which has caused fields to become waterlogged, river levels to rise and some streams close to bursting their banks.

Cuts Road in East Lying, Langport Road in Muchelney and New Road in West Lying, have been closed since Monday (February 19) and remain closed today (Friday, February 23). The Met Office has forecast more rain today, with more rain showers expected over the weekend.

As a result of the wet weather, the Environment Agency has monitored water levels and responded to rising river levels and issued several flood alerts and warnings. Since our flood watch round-up on Wednesday, the Environment Agency has removed flood warnings for Nunney Brook, River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge, low lying properties, River Mells and Whatley Brook, River Sheppey and Winford Brook at Chew Magna.

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Flood alerts for Exmoor River, Midford Brook catchment and Upper Frome and tributaries have also been removed, but 10 flood alerts remain in place with one new flood warning at the time of writing.

Flood warning currently in place in Somerset

The Environment Agency has issued one flood warning and its staff are continuing to monitor river levels, flood banks and spillways. Residents are being advised to prepare for flooding and incident response staff are in contact with community flood wardens and volunteers and clearing weed screens.

Curry Moor and Hay Moor

The Environment Agency say the River Tone level at Currymoor pumping station is 7.54m and is very slowly rising. Pumping is taking place at Saltmoor and Northmoor pumping stations and staff will pump at Currymoor station as soon as river levels fall. River Parrett levels are being managed using the Sowy relief channel.

Flooding is forecast to affect locations namely West Moor, Hay Moor and Curry Moor including New Road between North Curry and the A361, and Cutts Road at East Lyng. Environment Agency workers are monitoring rainfall and river levels and are checking rivers for blockages in the area. They are also clearing debris from weed screens in the area.

Flood alerts currently in place in Somerset

The Environment Agency says flooding is possible in 10 areas of Somerset and staff continue to monitor the situation, and staff are checking the condition of flood banks, spillways and weed screens. Residents are being advised to avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and do not walk, cycle or drive through flood water.

The following flood alerts are currently in place:

• East Somerset Rivers: Rivers Brue, Sheppey, Glastonbury Millstream and North and South Drains.
• Lower Tone and Parrett Moors : Lower Rivers Tone and Parrett including West Moor, Hay Moor, Curry Moor, Stan Moor, Salt Moor and North Moor.
• North Somerset area: Rivers in North Somerset including Congresbury Yeo, Cheddar Yeo, Axe and tributaries.

River Chew catchment: River Chew from Chew Stoke to Keynsham, Chew Stoke Stream and Winford Brook.

• River Tone catchment : River Tone from Clatworthy Reservoir to Currymoor, the Hillfarrance Brook, the Halsewater Stream and other tributaries in the River Tone catchment.
• River Yeo and River Parrett Moors around Muchelney and Thorney: River Yeo and River Parrett Moors including access from Langport, Law Lane from Drayton, Law Lane from Thorney, Wetmoor Lane from Long Load and properties in Muchelney, Muchelney Ham and Thorney.

Somerset Frome area: River Frome and Mells, and the Whatley and Nunney Brooks and tributaries.

• South East Somerset Rivers, Upper Reaches: River Yeo from Sherborne to Yeovil, River Wriggle, Barwick Stream, West Coker Stream and the River Cam.
• South Somerset Rivers, Upper Reaches: Rivers Parrett and Isle and tributaries.
• West Somerset Streams: Horner Water, Rivers Aller and Washford, and the Hawkcombe, Monksilver and Doniford Streams and tributaries.