A major incident has been officially declared in Somerset following the onslaught of Storm Chandra, which has unleashed heavy rainfall and caused significant flooding across the region. Somerset Council confirmed the declaration late on Tuesday evening, highlighting the severe impact of the storm on local communities.
Extensive Flooding and Property Damage
Somerset Council reported that there has been extensive flooding overnight, with an estimated 50 properties affected in areas including Ilminster, West Coker, Taunton, Mudford, and West Camel. The council emphasised that the risk of flooding on the Somerset Levels and Moors remains high as rainwater continues to move through the drainage systems.
National Flood Warnings and Alerts
The disruption is not confined to Somerset, with widespread flood warnings and alerts issued across the United Kingdom. As of Tuesday evening, England faced 95 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, and 257 flood alerts, indicating possible flooding. In Wales, there were three flood warnings and 17 alerts, while Scotland had eight warnings and eight alerts in place.
Emergency Response and Council Actions
Council leader Bill Revans explained the decision to declare a major incident, stating it positions authorities to respond effectively to the ongoing crisis. "Storm Chandra brought more than 50mm of rain to parts of Somerset last night, on top of already saturated land, and this has caused widespread disruption," he said. Revans added that teams have been working through the night to address impassable roads and urged residents to avoid travel and never drive through floodwater.
Rescue Operations and School Closures
Firefighters in Devon and Somerset conducted rescue operations, saving people from 25 vehicles trapped in floodwater on Tuesday morning. Fortunately, a spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed there were no casualties. Images shared by Axminster Fire Station on social media showed multiple vehicles submerged in floodwater, illustrating the severity of the conditions.
The storm's impact extended to education, with 47 schools closed in Devon and over 300 shut in Northern Ireland due to flooding and hazardous conditions. Multiple road closures were reported across South West England, including the A30 in Devon near Ottery St Mary and Exeter Airport.
Transport and Travel Disruption
Storm Chandra caused significant travel chaos beyond Somerset. Domestic flights were cancelled on routes serving key airports such as Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow, Leeds Bradford, London City, Manchester, and Southampton on Tuesday. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for ice on Wednesday morning across much of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and southern and central Scotland. Additionally, a yellow warning for rain is in place for South West England on Thursday, with further rainfall expected to exacerbate flooding and transport issues.
Broader Impact Across the UK and Ireland
The storm's effects were felt widely, with disruption reported in other parts of the South West, the south coast, the north of England, as well as Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Press Association photographs captured scenes of search and rescue workers in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, vehicles stranded on flooded roads in Kent, and snowfall in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham.
Storm Chandra is the latest named storm from the western Europe storm naming group, a collaborative list shared between the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. As authorities continue to monitor the situation, residents are advised to stay updated on weather forecasts and heed safety warnings to minimise risks during this challenging period.
