Somerset Levels farmland floods again after Chandra

Farmland and communities across the Somerset Levels are under threat of serious flooding again after Storm Chandra brought heavy rainfall to already saturated ground, prompting Somerset Council to declare a major incident.

In Moorland, near Bridgwater, fifth-generation beef farmer James Winslade said evacuations from homes in the region were already under way.

See also: Somerset farmer fears flooding repeat as EA cuts support

“It’s not looking good,” said Mr Winslade, who runs West Yeo Farm.

“The first houses are being evacuated now. They look like they will be flooded by lunchtime, with others following later in Fordgate. Then it starts affecting us.”

Although his farm sits higher than surrounding land, access is a major concern.

© James Winslade

“What happens is all the roads flood around us and we get stuck on an island. The farm will probably be OK, but it’s whether you can then get in and out.”

Mr Winslade said decisions are being taken on whether his tenants may need to be moved, with full evacuation – including his cattle – a last resort.

“That’s the last thing we want to do. It’s a major undertaking,” he added.

EA under fire

He criticised the Environment Agency (EA) for delaying pumping, despite local warnings.

“The Internal Drainage Board [IDB] and locals were asking for pumps to come in last Tuesday. The EA were waiting for trigger points to be met before they took action.”

Flooding was worsened by earlier disruption at Northmoor Pumping Station, where planned National Grid pole maintenance cut power during critical rainfall, leaving pumps offline for several days.

Similar work at the smaller Saltmoor station has been postponed due to 8ft of floodwater.

The Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) said all six temporary, additional pumps at Northmoor are now operational, with extra staff, pumps, and equipment brought in from across the country.

Pumps at Saltmoor are on site and expected to be fully operational today.

Mr Winslade praised the local IDB and SRA for their work but warned lessons from the devastating winter flooding event in 2014 – and warnings from climatologists about more frequent wetter winters due to climate change – have not been fully acted on.

“It’s a catalogue of disasters,” he said. “In 2014, it took pumps running constantly for two months to get on top of it. Every time this happens, the government chucks money at it after the event.”

Mr Winslade called for more funding for permanent pumping infrastructure, saying: “Those temporary pumps cost around £300,000 to bring in and £350,000 to take out. More permanent pumps would just be the flick of a switch.”

He added: “The River Parrett is taking far more water than it did in 2014. That has saved our bacon. The maintenance is working. There needs to be an overhaul of the EA. If they stop maintaining rivers, that money should go to the IDBs. They can do the work at a fraction of the cost.”

Properties flooded

Across Somerset, around 50 properties have flooded across Ilminster, West Coker, Taunton, Mudford and West Camel, and water continues to rise on the moors around Langport and Muchelney, with river levels being closely monitored by authorities.

The Met Office says low pressure will keep conditions unsettled over the next few days, with further rain forecast and a yellow warning in place for southwest England.