Dozens unable to return home after severe floods

Dozens of residents are not yet able to return home after a major incident was declared in Somerset due to severe flooding.

A clean-up is under way after the floods caused by Storm Herminia forced 100 people to be evacuated on Monday, in Ilminster, Chard and South Petherton, as a precaution.

A major incident notice, announced by Somerset Council on Monday, was stood down on Tuesday morning.

A multi-agency response will be maintained until further notice and residents will also be offered accommodation for Tuesday night if needed, the council said.

Among those affected in Ilminster was bridal shop owner Jean Pas, who said flood water ruined 200 of her dresses.

"This is the second time it's happened but it is worse this time than it was before," she said.

"There was mud everywhere. All of my stock is ruined."

Two of the four emergency closure gates on the Somerset Levels are closed, on Cutts Road and Langport Road.

Somerset Council said drivers should respect road closure signs and not try to drive through flood water.

The council opened two emergency rest centres, one in Ilminster and one in Chard.

It said it had provided temporary accommodation on Monday night for people who were evacuated from a residential caravan site near Somerton.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service crews are pumping water from the site, but the council said residents will be unable to return until tomorrow, and it will continue to offer them accommodation until then.

There are six flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, in place for Somerset, 12 for Wiltshire, eight for Gloucestershire and one for Bristol, said the Environment Agency.

The alerts include a new red warning for Tewkesbury.

Councillor Jason Baker said the Guildhall, Chard's town hall, was overwhelmed with donations after it was opened as a place of refuge.

"It was really nice to see the community pulling together for those who were really struggling," he said.

Council leader Bill Revans said it was "still responding to the incident", and he was "mindful of further rain forecast over the next 24 hours".

"Please look out for your neighbours, don't drive through floodwater, and always call 999 if you believe there is serious risk to life due to flooding," he said.

Ian Withers, from the Environment Agency, said there was "a huge amount of water" in the rivers and the systems.

"It's impossible to predict where intense showers fall," he said

"So the message for us, our partners and communities is to think we could be the victims of this type of rain, and with climate change, that is more likely to happen, so we need to make our homes, businesses or travel plans more resilient.

"We remain busy. This rain is continuing for most of today, but it is a little bit drier looking ahead."

Freezing temperatures are forecast for Tuesday and further rain is forecast for Wednesday, according to the Met Office.

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