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Flooding victims say they feel anxious and abandoned

Clara Bullock & Ross Pollard
BBC News, Somerset
BBC A residential area is flooded. A few houses and vans are partially submerged in the water.BBC
Primrose Hill already previously flooded in 2023

People that have been hit by recent floods have told their MP they feel frustrated and "left alone".

Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, went back to Primrose Hill in Somerset to meet residents who had to leave their homes on 26 January due to floods caused by heavy rain from Storm Herminia.

Rosie Dawson, from Charlton Mackrell near Primrose Hill, said: "I feel quite frustrated that we're left on our own to deal with this."

Leader of Somerset Council Bill Revans said: "We are not an emergency service but we do support communities with their resilience."

A field is flooded. A gate can only be seen halfway. In the background is a house that has only just been spared by the water.
South Somerset flooded on 26 January after heavy rain

Ms Dawson explained the flooding has become "more frequent".

During the poor weather in January, her garden flooded for the first time.

"Undoubtedly that's a part of climate change," she said.

"We're out as soon as the flooding comes, helping our neighbours.

"I find it extremely upsetting watching people carrying out their wet furniture, knowing they'll have to replace their kitchen again."

Rosie Dawson is standing in front of some cars in a car park. She is wearing a red jacket and glasses.
Rosie Dawson said she was getting "frustrated" with the flooding in her village

Ms Dyke met residents on 14 February to discuss their concerns and find solutions.

She said: "We're at the forefront of climate change here. I've got many constituents coming to me saying they are worried about flooding.

"The anxiety that it causes is really disturbing."

Sarah Dyke is standing in a car park in front of some houses. She is wearing a brown jacket and a green scarf. She is smiling.
Locals told Sarah Dyke that they feel frustrated with the recent flooding

Ms Dyke added that she hopes to put together a plan with the local residents and the council, so everyone knows what to do in the case of future floodings.

"I will keep banging that drum. Prevention of flooding is what we want to achieve further down the line," Ms Dyke said.

Dennis Elliott is standing in a car park in front of residential houses. He is wearing a brown jacket, glasses and a hat.
Dennis Elliott said he hopes Sarah Dyke would get funding to prevent future flooding

Dennis Elliott, another resident from Charlton Mackrell, said the issue was a lack of funding.

"Hopefully, Sarah can go away and assist us with the funding," he added.

"It would be hard to say I'm hopeful. I'm optimistic.

"We've been here many times before and failed to find the solution."

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