Flooding

Flooding in the district remains a possibility given sufficient heavy rainfall. However, it should be noted that relatively few people or properties are at risk. Residents of West Somerset are reminded that they have the responsibility to protect their properties from flooding.

It is the responsibility of the Environment Agency (EA) to monitor rainfall and river conditions continuously and to issue warnings, when conditions indicate that flooding is likely warnings are passed to both County and District Council.

Each area within the South West Region of the EA has a rota of Flood Warning Duty Officers responsible for the monitoring and issue of warnings.

The EA is responsible for monitoring weather forecasts; rainfall and river flow. When conditions suggest that floods are likely, it is the responsibility of the EA to issue flood warnings to the Police, The Fire and Rescue Service, to the relevant local authorities and the public. The public is able to dial Flood Line on 0845 988 1188 or visit the EA Flood Warning website (under External Links).

Information is also available from the BBC Weather and Met Office weather warning service (websites under External Links).

The EA operates a flood warning system for the rivers within West Somerset. The new flood warning system is outlined below in four stages.

Flood Watch

Flooding is possible, and the situation could worsen, so:

Watch water levels
Stay tuned to local radio or TV
Ring Floodline on 0845 988 1188
Make sure you have what you need to put your flood plan into action
Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly
Check pets and livestock
Reconsider travel plans

Flood Warning

Flooding is now expected, so put your flood plan into action:

As with Flood Watch plus
Move pets, vehicles, food, valuables and other items to safety
Put sandbags or flood boards in place
Prepare to turn off gas and electricity
Be prepared to evacuate your home
Protect yourself, your family and others that need your help

Severe Flood Warning

Severe flooding is now expected:

As with Flood Warning plus
Be prepared to lose power supplies - gas, electricity, water, telephone
Try to keep calm, and to reassure others, especially children
Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities
You may be evacuated

All Clear

An all clear will be issued when flood watches or warnings are no longer in force.

Flood water levels receding
Check all is safe to return
Seek advice.

The EA may also issue flood warning information in the form of a Flood Warning Update and Further Flood Warning Update before a Severe Flood Warning is issued.

Sandbags

Householders are responsible for protecting their own property from flooding and we strongly recommend you make provision in advance against the risk of flooding. This is good practice as sandbags will then be ready to hand when and where needed without delay. Advice on how to do this can be found on the Environment Agency website.

Sandbags are available from the local DIY or builders merchants

Flood warnings

For the latest flood alerts, please see the Environment Agency website.

Be prepared:

Make sure your home is adequately insured and major contents listed
Make sure your property is in good repair
Know how and where to turn off your water, electricity and gas supplies
Acquire carrying boxes or baskets for pets
Collect and maintain a home emergency pack

Gather information

Listen to the weather forecast, travel updates, flood warnings on your local radio station. The local radio stations for West Somerset are:

Before a flood

Put your home emergency pack in a safe, accessible place.
Protect doorways and low level vents with sandbags (remember to unblock these vents before switching everything back on).
Consider stocking sandbags now (your district/borough council may not be able to supply them).
Move valuables, food and other possessions upstairs where possible.
Turn off gas and electricity if flooding is definitely about to happen to your property.

During a flood

Co-operate fully with the emergency services
Do not switch on electricity or gas until these have been inspected by a qualified engineer
Do not use food that has been in contact with flood water
Assume that flood water contains sewage
Ensure that you wear gloves when handling affected items
Thoroughly disinfect and dry affected household items

After a flood

Call your insurance company. Tell them what has happened and if possible take photographs of damaged items prior to disposal, as this may help your insurance claim.
Check the yellow pages under Flood Damage for suppliers of cleaning materials or equipment to dry out your property.
Contact the gas, electricity and water companies. You will need to have your supplies checked before you turn them back on.
Open the doors and windows to ventilate your home (it takes a brick about 25mm/1inch a month to dry out).
Remember to unblock your airbricks and doorways, but take care to ensure your house is secure against intruders.
Watch out for any unbroken glass or nails whilst you are cleaning up.
Wash taps and run water for a few minutes before use. Mains tap water should not be contaminated, but check with your local water company if you are concerned.
Do not turn on any electrical equipment until you are sure it has dried out.
Beware of bogus traders. With so much damage it is tempting to take the first offer that comes along.
Don't panic if you can't cope. There are organisations which may be able to help or advise such as the Fire and Rescue Services, District/Borough Councils and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Remember, don't think it can't happen again - restock your supplies.

Drying out and redecorating your property after flooding:

Initially, all floor coverings should be removed and walls washed with clean water only.
To help the house to dry out, windows and doors should be left open as much as possible and a fire kept alight or heat provided in each room.
Lift one or two floorboards, particularly against outside walls, to increase the draught under the floor.
Any furniture standing near walls should be removed and the wallpaper stripped off the flooded parts of walls.
Any silt that has found its way under the house should be cleared away and under-floor gratings should be cleared. Silt or earth accumulated against brickwork above the damp-proof course should be cleared away and built-in cupboards left open - especially the one under the staircase.
Walls may become covered with a white powder as they dry out. This is the salt already present in the bricks and should be brushed off dry.
Under-floor timbers and floorboards of suspended floors must be dried before replacing floor coverings. It is safer to use loose rugs for six months, as the longer the floor remains damp, the greater the chance of rot setting in, which will cause decay and the loss of strength of the wood.
If the house is built of brick or stone, the walls will take some months to dry out. Do not rush to re-decorate.
If re-decoration is necessary, the walls should be treated with an anti-mould solution and decorated with distemper or emulsion paint.
If the plaster was already perished, it may have been weakened further by the flooding and may need to be replaced. Re-plastering should be carried out as soon as possible, but then leave the bare walls for a while to dry out.
Hinges and locks may need oiling to prevent them from seizing up.