Somerset Retirees Face 'Scariest' Flood Threat as Storm Chandra Prompts Major Incident Declaration
A retired couple from Somerset are confronting what they describe as the most frightening flood risk in over a decade, with heavy rainfall forecast for Thursday following the disruption caused by Storm Chandra. Lesley and John Parker, residents of Burrowbridge, have installed flood defences at their home, fearing water will once again penetrate their property directly through the floorboards.
Major Incident Declared Across Somerset
Somerset Council has officially declared a major incident in response to the widespread flooding and disruption brought by Storm Chandra on Tuesday. The severe weather has already forced the closure of a key route through Burrowbridge, while Environment Agency pumps in the vicinity are operating at full capacity in an effort to drain accumulating water.
The Parkers' anxiety is compounded by the forecast for further heavy rainfall on Thursday, leaving them and their neighbours bracing for potentially devastating conditions. They assert that the current situation represents the scariest they have witnessed since their home was catastrophically flooded in 2014, an event that saw three feet of water inundate the property and necessitated a full evacuation.
Couple Criticise Environment Agency Response
Expressing frustration, the couple claim they have been largely left to their own devices and believe the Environment Agency's actions have been too little, too late to safeguard their home of fourteen years. Mr Parker contrasted the 2014 floods, which unfolded in a slower manner, with the rapid onset of the current crisis, stating that systems have not been adequately established to respond to the swift escalation.
Recalling the 2014 disaster, Mr Parker described how water surged through their floor despite sandbag defences at doors and vents. The water came in one afternoon, we thought we might survive, went to bed and got up in the morning and there was a foot or so of water in the ground floor, he recounted. The aftermath forced them into hotel accommodation arranged by insurers for two weeks, followed by over seven months living in a caravan on their driveway while repairs were completed.
Preparations and Warnings Intensify
In preparation for the impending rainfall, the couple installed a flood barrier supplied by their local rotary club on Wednesday and reinforced their home's entrances with sandbags. Mrs Parker noted the alarming speed of the water's rise, stating, with the forecast, the rate and rise of the water is the quickest it's ever been. She added that she had been warned on Monday that her property would be underwater by Wednesday.
Somerset Council reports that an estimated 50 properties have already been affected by flooding in areas including Ilminster, West Coker, Taunton, Mudford, and West Camel. Council leader Bill Revans emphasised the challenging forecast, confirming that authorities are collaborating with emergency services to prepare for a potential deterioration in conditions.
Weather Warnings and Community Concerns
While no Met Office weather warnings were active on Wednesday, yellow warnings for rain have been issued for the south-west of England on Thursday. The community's concerns are echoed by other residents, such as Alan Sandwell, who lives near the Saltmoor pumping station in Burrowbridge. Sandwell, who moved in just two months ago with assurances his house would never flood, expressed concern over what he perceives as consistently delayed responses, likening it to shutting the gate when the horse has bolted.
Environment Agency Defends Its Actions
In response to criticisms, a spokesman for the Environment Agency defended their operational response, stating it has been ahead of the curve – not behind it. The agency highlighted that staff have been working around the clock to protect people and property, with additional pumps deployed ahead of schedule and water levels proactively reduced before Storm Ingrid to mitigate impact. The spokesman explained that pumping into already saturated rivers is not feasible, but the agency is prepared to act decisively when water levels recede.
The agency also revealed that a rain gauge in Fulwood, Somerset, recorded the wettest seven-day period in at least thirty years last week, underscoring the exceptional nature of the recent weather and the severe challenge it presents to flood defences across the region.
