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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Alahna Kindred

Somerset flooding: Major incident as homes evacuated amid mudslides and flash floods

A major incident has been declared after homes were evacuated amid mudslides and flash floods.

The Environment Agency has issued multiple 'act now' flood warnings across Somerset.

Avon and Somerset Police say they are working with the fire department and council after homes were evacuated and people have said they are stuck in the floods.

Images show brown water covering roads and spewing into gardens as the Environment Agency has warned motorists to not attempt to drive through flood water.

They wrote "Do not attempt to drive through flood water. Enough water to fill an egg cup can ruin your engine, leaving you stranded in water and in need of rescue from emergency services."

Mudslides and flash floods have sparked a major incident to be declared (PA)

In a tweet, police said: "Houses have been evacuated in North Cadbury, Queen Camel and surrounding villages. Roads have been blocked by mudslides and drivers are advised to avoid flooded areas."

An earlier statement from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service read: "A Major Incident has been declared regarding flooding in the Galhampton, North Cadbury, and South Cadbury Areas. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue have several resources deployed to the area to deal with the situation.

"Please avoid driving through floodwater. If you come into contact with floodwater, please take the necessary steps to decontaminate yourself and clothing appropriately. Should you find yourself in an emergency situation involving floodwater, please ring 999."

It says: "Flooding is expected in this area. This means properties are at risk of flooding. Please take action to protect yourself and your property and monitor local weather and river conditions.

"Avoid contact with, walking or driving through flood water. Consider activating any property flood protection products you may have.

"Environment Agency Flood Warning Officers set the river or tidal levels that have triggered this message. During industrial action this message has been automatically issued based on rising river or tidal levels."

Val Coots, from Bathealton, posted videos on Twitter and told PA: “The stream breaks its banks quite regularly after prolonged heavy rain, usually a couple of times per year.

"Today has been on a different scale though, really unbelievable, the stream rose about a foot above the level of the garden and whole parts either side were completely submerged.

“You can see from one of the tweets what it looks like normally. The house is much higher, so we aren’t in any danger.”

Eleanor Wicks told PA she had to find a way around a flooded footbridge in Bruton.

The 16-year-old, from Frome, said: “It was very shocking because it had been raining for about three solid hours and we had to try to find a way around it, through a flooded footbridge.

“Our car was on the other side so we had to go all the way around over a flooded footpath bridge and through another bit of flood to get to the car.”

Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said: “Showers over the next few days could be heavy with the risk of thunder and hail.

“In fact, through Tuesday evening there is a warning for thunderstorms across the southeast. So you could run into some heavy bursts through the next few hours through Tuesday evening before that risk eases. For the time being we are seeing some lively conditions across the south as well as the east. It will ease.”

She added that the risk of thunder and hail persist through Wednesday and Thursday.

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