Large parts of the Somerset Levels spent much of the winter of 2013-14 under water, with villages isolated, homes evacuated and the farming community in disarray. Relentless storms battered South West England, causing power outages, road closures and widespread travel disruption.
The Environment Agency warned of flooding on the Somerset Levels, and rising waters soon triggered the first large-scale response. The RSPCA led a rescue of cattle and horses from a farm, while two fire service boats from Norfolk were sent to Somerset as water cut off major roads into Yeovil and submerged thousands of acres.
Residential properties began to be evacuated fortnight after the storms began. Anne-Marie Simpson was rescued from her North Curry home via a window and into a boat. 'The scale of the flooding has taken us by surprise,' she said. In Muchelney, residents used a canoe to paddle a mile to Huish Episcopi for supplies, having been cut off since 3 January.
A 'major incident' was declared by Somerset County Council and Sedgemoor District Council, leading to a request for military assistance. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson faced angry residents who lambasted a failure to dredge rivers. Prime Minister David Cameron later announced that rivers would be dredged once flood water drained.
The Prince of Wales visited Muchelney by boat and tractor, describing the situation as a 'tragedy' and expressing sympathy. Severe flood warnings were issued for parts of the Levels, with up to 150 properties advised to evacuate. Royal Marines from 40 Commando were deployed to reinforce flood defences in Burrowbridge.
In the middle of the night, rescue crews knocked on doors in Moorland urging evacuation after temporary flood defences were breached. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles acknowledged the government 'made a mistake' in not dredging sooner, as the crisis continued to unfold.
