Wet Christmas for Somerset as more rain lashes county (From Bridgwater Mercury)

9:06pm

Two people had to be rescued by firefighters when they became stuck in floodwater in their vehicle.

Crews attended the incident at Titlands Lane, Wookey Hole, Wells, at 6.15pm today (Monday).

They used dry suits and water rescue equipment to reach the occupants of the car, who were taken to safety.

2:06pm

1:41pm

DRIVERS splash their way through standing water in Staplegrove on Christmas Eve.

1:35pm

A VAN driver was helped from his vehicle after it got stuck in flood water in New Road, North Curry, this morning.

A fire service spokesman said: "Two appliances from Taunton attended reports of a white van stuck in flooding.

"Crews assisted the owner out of the vehicle."

12:03pm

FLOODING between Taunton and Castle Cary is causing major disruption for rail passengers this Christmas Eve.

Passengers are advised to check their trains are still running before travelling to the station.

The line south-west of Taunton remains closed.

11:15am

10:55am

10:50am

10:49am

10:43am

10:43am

LATEST update from the Environment Agency:

An average of about 10 mm of rain has fallen today, Monday 24/12/2012, with up to another 5mm forecast until this afternoon.

With daily totals of 5 to 10 mm rain forecast for the next few days, river levels will remain high.

Consequently widespread flood alerts and warnings remain, including for this area. The drain level at Currymoor pumping station is 7.66 m and rising.

The Currymoor reservoir is currently spilling including at the main Athelney spillway and consequently the A361 is closed between Burrowbridge and East Lyng.

The drain level at Northmoor pumping station is 3.76 m and is now rising again.

River, drain and water levels on the moors are expected to continue to rise in response to the rainfall and spills from Currymoor.

Pumping stations at Northmoor, Saltmoor, Stanmoor and many additional temporary pumps are still currently working to evacuate water from these moors.

8:51am

POLICE are warning that low lying land across most of Somerset is likely to suffer from flooding for the rest of the day.

Dulverton is still under a lot of water, although the situation has imprved since yesterday (Sunday).

The A38 between Wellington and Taunton is still passable, although it is beginning to flood, particularly by Willowbrook Nursery. 

Insp Stuart Bell said: "The message is, 'Don't drive through standing water.

"If there is a sign saying the road is closed, please adhere to that sign.

"The police and other emergency services are still having to rescue motorists ignoring road signs."

8:50am

LATEST flooding update, issued by the Environment Agency:

"Communities across South West England are urged to remain vigilant, as further heavy rainfall is expected into Monday. The Met Office is forecasting a further 10mm of rain overnight for parts of Devon and Cornwall.

Heightened flood risk remains across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. One severe flood warning - meaning danger to life - remains in place in Helston, Cornwall.

Slower responding rivers in the South East, Midlands and North East will continue to rise over the next few days.

Latest figures show that around 400 properties have flooded since Wednesday and the Environment Agency has sent over 110,000 warnings to people at risk of flooding. Flood defences have protected more than 20,000 properties across England and Wales, including 4,000 properties in Cornwall.

Our emergency teams have been working through the night to shore up defences, monitor river levels, clear blockages from watercourses and pump out flood water from towns.

If you are going away for the Christmas holidays, give yourself extra time to make your journey, check your route before travelling and avoid driving through flood water."

7:05am

FLOOD warnings remain in place on dozens of rivers this morning.

Around 5 to 10mm of overnight rainfall was expected to swamp the River Yeo from Yeovil to Langport, while levels at Pen Mill and Ilchester have peaked.

And the A361 Main Road in Burrowbridge is still closed in both directions from the Burrowbridge junction to the Lyng junction.

6:49am

6:49am

6:42am

THERE'S still widespread disruption on train services in the South-West.

Check National Rail before travelling.

5:45pm

MOTORISTS in west Somerset are being strongly advised to adhere to road closures following  severe flooding in Dulverton.

The Environment Agency and all emergency services have been working over the weekend to ensure residents and motorists remain safe following the wet weather.

Across today, (December 23), many motorists have been failing to adhere to road closures and diversions and have been putting themselves and the emergency services in danger.

Ch Insp Kevan Rowlands said: "As a result of the weather there are many road closures and diversions across Dulverton, but many people are choosing to ignore them by either removing them or driving around them. They are then becoming trapped in water and in turn need to be rescued by the emergency services.

"Motorists doing this are not only risking their own lives but others. I would urge anyone who comes across a road closure to take another route and not attempt to use that road network."

The Environment agency are keeping residents up to date about the current situation and all current road closures can be views on its website.

For more information about traffic incidents in the area visit the traffic information page on the Avon and Somerset police website - www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

4:07pm

SEVERAL homes and businesses were flooded after the River Barle in Dulverton burst its banks late on Saturday.

The Bridge Inn, a garage, workshop and beauty salon were among the properties submerged.

There are currently nine flood warnings in place across Somerset, including Curry Moor and Hay Moor, the A361 East Lyng to Burrowbridge, Salt Moor and North Moor, including Moorland, the River Frome from East Stoke to Wareham, the River Yeo from Yeovil to Langport and the River Tone from Bishops Hull to Creech St Michael.

3:57pm

3:49pm

FIRE crews are still in attendance at the following flooding incidents in both Somerset and Devon.

Lower Washfield, Tiverton: Crews used a mini ejector pump to remove one foot of flood water from kitchen of property.

Bishops Tawton, Barnstaple: Crews rescued three persons from flooded property.

Broadway Shopping Centre, Plymstock: Large quantity of flood water being removed by crews from basement using mini ejector pump.

Hernaford Road, Harbertonford, Totnes: Flood water in terraced cottage. Crews using mini ejector pump to remove water and assist with salvage of property and isolating electrics.

Western Gardens, Combe Martin: Crews used 4x4 to access homes and assist residents with salvage of property.

Abbey Road, Barnstaple: Crews using a light portable pump to remove flood water from a basement boiler room within a school.

Exeter Road, Bickleigh, Tiverton: Private property. Crews using a light portable pump to remove approximately two feet of flood water from inside property.

Exeter Road, Bickleigh, Tiverton:  Major pump in use to remove flood water from public house.

Fore Street, Ivybridge: Crews assisting home owner with removal of flood water from ground floor of property.

12:52pm

BELOW is a full, up-to-date list of flooding incidents and times they were attended to by Devon & Somerset fire crews so far this weekend.

December 22:

1.47 Golden Square, Colebrook, Plympton

3.45 Oak Tree Cottages, Goveton, Kingsbridge,

4.30 Royal Mail Sorting Office, Central Park Avenue, Pennycomequick, Plymouth

5.08 elderly female rescued from basement, Ermington, Ivybridge
5.31 Chacombe Street, Kingsbridge
5.57 Pulruan Terrace, Millbridge, Plymouth
6.06 Chaloners Road, Braunton
6.47 Manor Close, Wrafton, Braunton
7.02 Chapel Street, Braunton
7.15 two people rescued from floodwater in road, Ermington, Ivybridge
7.31 Muddiford, Barnstaple
7.47 Exeter Inn, Church Street, Modbury
7.51 North Street, Dolton, Winkleigh
8.15 Roadway, Woolacombe
8.20 Cotmaton Road, Sidmouth
8.32 vehicle and driver assisted from floodwater, Sparkwell
8.38 rescue from water, Brockham Bridge, A39, Clifton East Down, Barnstaple
8.44 Swanbridge Mill, A379, Modbury
8.57 rescue from water, Chilton Cantelo, Yeovil
9.03 Cobb Lane, Plymstock
9.08 Strete, Dartmouth
9.20 Devonport Road, Devonport
9.16 Victoria Heights, Dartmouth
9.28 Horn Lane, Plymstock
9.32 Woodland Road, Harbertonford, Totnes
9.31 Parkstone Lane, Chaddlewood, Plympton
9.42 Plymouth Road, Totnes
10.03 Old Wells Road, Shepton Mallet
10.06 Waterloo Place, Kingsbridge
10.52 one man rescued from floodwater, Bridgerule, Holsworthy
11.32 Avonwick, Diptford, Totnes
11.45 Silverdsle Close, Brushford, Dulverton
12.08 Abbots Quay, Prince of Wales Road, Kingsbridge
12.19 Broadway Shopping Centre, The Broadway, Plymstock
12.31 Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple
12.45 Nursery Cottages, Colebrook, Plympton
13.39 Mill Leat Close, Yealmpton
14.56 Soar, Malborough
15.15 Pilton Infants School, Abbey Road, Pilton
16.14 Challacombe, Barnstaple
16.27 Saunton, Braunton
16.27 two females rescued from car in floodwater, Kersham Bridge, Bridge Reeve, Chulmleigh
16.27 Arlington, Barnstaple
16.31 Muddiford, Barnstaple
16.56 rescue from water, Berrynarbor, Ilfracombe
17.08 Quincecote, Hartland
17.30 rescue from water, Horsebridge, Tavistock
17.54 Church Street, Pound Lane, Combe Martin
17.54 Philham, Hartland
18.08 Easter Street, Bishops Tawton, Barnstaple
18.08 Water Terrace, Combe Martin
18.12 female rescued from building, Brayford
18.16 Heddon Mill Cross, Knowle, Braunton
18.44 Barton Gate Lane, Combe Martin
18.49 Barton Gate Lane, Combe Martin
19.24 15 people rescued, Mill on the Mole Residential Park, East Street, South Molton
19.41 The Broadway, Plymstock
19.55 two women rescued from floodwater, Filleigh, Barnstaple
20.33 two people rescued from fast-flowing water, Perry New Road, Brushford, Dulverton
20.49 Bucks Cross, Bideford
21.03 Valley Cottages, Bishops Tawton, Barnstaple
21.13 one person rescued from property, Ilfracombe Road, Braunton
21.18 rescue from floodwater, Exford Road, Simonsbath, Minehead
21.38 two people rescued by fire service boat, Station Hill, Torrington
21.40 one man rescued from floodwater, Hansford Barton, Umberleigh
22.18 North Moor Road, Dulverton
23.14 one man rescued from water, Chilton Cantelo, Yeovil
23.20 Stanbury Garage, Dulverton

December 23:

00.12 six people evacuated from properties, Bolham, Tiverton
00.34 two people rescued from floodwater, Umberleigh Railway Station
1.42 rescue from water, Sherford Road, Elburton, Plymstock
2.26 four people rescued, Sanders Lane, Bishops Tawton, Barnstaple
2.30 Tesco Metro, Lea Street, Bolham Road, Tiverton
6.28 welfare checks on residents on A396 at Bolham, Tiverton
8.21 Easter Street, Bishops Tawton, Barnstaple

10:18am

TRAIN travel west of Taunton is halted due to flooding. Below is the latest statement from First Great Western on the situation today, Sunday, December 23: 

"Trains are unable to operate between Taunton and Plymouth. Therefore, services from Penzance, Plymouth, Exeter St Davids towards Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington will terminate at Plymouth and start from Taunton until further notice.

Services from London Paddington towards Exeter St Davids and the West of England will terminate at Taunton and be started again from Plymouth until further notice.

A very limited road transport operation is currently in place between Taunton, Exeter St Davids and Plymouth, this is being hampered by flooded roads and only a limited number of vehicles being available.

Services between Par and Newquay are also suspended in both directions with no replacement road transport available.

Services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple are suspended in both directions, with no replacement road transport available.

Local Firstgroup bus services will accept First Great Western Tickets on reasonable routes.

First Great Western and Arriva Cross Country Trains will accept each others tickets on services that are operating in the West Country.

First Great Western advise customers with non-essential travel to not attempt to travel west of Taunton in either direction."

10:13am

Click link to view flood warnings for River Tone catchment areas around Taunton, including Bishops Hull and Creech St Michael:

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/34681.aspx?area=112WAFTRTC&page=1&type=Postcode&term=TA11JR

10:07am

Click link to view the latest flood alerts issued by the Environment Agency for today, Sunday, December 23:

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/31618.aspx

9:52am

RESIDENTS cut off by flood water were rescued from several properties near Dulverton.

Fire crews were called to the scene around 8.45pm last night, Saturday, December 22.

6:26pm

POLICE are warning of 'significant danger"'on the main route through Cheddar Gorge after heavy rain and flooding.

The B3135 has been closed for several weeks due to bad weather, however some drivers are ignoring the warning signs, said Avon and Somerset Insp Nick Hunt.

He said safety was a priority and urged drivers to "use common sense and find alternative routes".

It is not yet known when the road will reopen.

5:21pm

First Great Western has released the following statement regarding train travel disruption.

"We are experiencing flooding and landslips in the following areas:

Plymouth to Taunton -

Trains are unable to operate between Taunton and Plymouth. Therefore, services from Penzance, Plymouth, Exeter St Davids towards Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington will terminate at Plymouth and start from Taunton until further notice.

Services from London Paddington towards Exeter St Davids and the West of England will terminate at Taunton and be started again from Plymouth until further notice.

A very limited road transport operation is currently in place between Taunton, Exeter St Davids and Plymouth, this is being hampered by flooded roads and only a limited number of vehicles being available.

Services between Par and Newquay are also suspended in both directions with no replacement road transport available.

Services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple are suspended in both directions, with no replacement road transport available.

Local Firstgroup bus services will accept First Great Western Tickets on reasonable routes.

First Great Western and Arriva Cross Country Trains will accept each others tickets on services that are operating in the West Country.

First Great Western advise customers with non-essential travel to not attempt to travel West of Taunton in either direction.

South Wales

Signalling problems at Cardiff Central is causing significant disruption to services in South Wales. Train Services are currently unable to operate between Newport and Cardiff Central in either direction.

The road network around Newport is currently experiencing severe disruption, which is impinging on our ability to provide road transport.

There is also flooding at Neath, which means we are unable to operate train services between Swansea and Cardiff Central.

An estimation for rectification will be provided to us by Network Rail as soon as more is known."

2:17pm

FLOODING on the Taunton to Wellington road today, Saturday, December 22. Photo by Jeff Searle.

2:13pm

FLOOD water being pumped out at Moorland, Somerset. Photo by Jeff Searle.

2:09pm

FLOODING on Somerset Levels. Photo by Jeff Searle.

1:53pm

1:46pm

CLICK link for latest Environment Agency weather warnings for communities on the River Tone:

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/34678.aspx?page=1&type=River&term=tone

12:20pm

9:48am

SINCE 2.30am this morning (December 22) Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue as received over 130 calls for flooding in the following areas:

Plymouth, Plymstock, Plympton, Camels Head, Greenbank, Colebrook, Ivybridge, Lee Mill, Smithaleigh, Laira, Newnham, Goosewell, Yealmpton, Holbeton, Kingsbridge, Modbury areas.

Barnstaple, Croyde, Braunton, Wrafton, Bideford areas.

Crews assisted house owners for flooding inside their properties ranging from five inches to three foot.

Please remember not to drive through flood water and dont make unecessary trips.

10:48pm

LATEST updates from the Met Office as heavy rain is set to sweep across county tomorrow (December 22), Sunday and on Christmas Eve.

Saturday/Sunday: Further bands of heavy rain accompanied by strong winds are expected to move northeastwards across the southwest of England through Saturday and early Sunday.

Given that the ground is already saturated, the public should be prepared for the risk of localised flooding from both rivers and surface water. This could well lead to disruption to travel, with a low likelihood of severe disruption.

This warning has been updated to include more of Dorset, Somerset and the Bristol area.

Christmas Eve: A further spell of wet weather is expected to affect parts of England and Wales on Christmas Eve. Given already saturated ground from recent rainfall, the public should be prepared for an increased risk of both surface water and river flooding along with disruption to travel.

8:56am

MORE heavy rain is expected to drench most of the county tomorrow (December 22).

Forecasters say the South-West will get some respite from the extreme weather coniditions today, but expect more rain the lash most of the region over the weekend.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning of rain for South-West England.

5:30pm

3:46pm

SOMERSET County Council has closed the A359 between Queen Camel and Mudford due to flooding.

The road will be closed through the night and a decision on whether to re-open it will be made in the morning.

There has also been a significant oil spill on the A358, from Chard to the county boundary, which Somerset Highways is cleaning.

The road is open but a County Council spokesman said all drivers should be 'extremely careful' in the area being cleaned.

3:33pm

3:11pm

Thomas Harris captured this video of a strong current on the River Axe near Winsham.

He said: "Winsham is currently virtually cut off."

12:44pm

11:31am

11:10am

GOODLAND Gardens in Taunton.

10:58am

OUR reporter has just walked past Goodland Gardens in Taunton and says the water level is looking very high.

You can send your flooding photos from across Somerset to newsdesk@countygazette.co.uk

10:57am

10:49am

10:43am

DEVON and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning to motorists about the dangers of driving through flood water.

A spokesman said: "Conditions could be similar to those experienced across Devon and Somerset at the end of last month, with heavy rain falling on already saturated ground.

"During one 24-hour period in November alone, fire crews in Devon and Somerset attended 51 incidents involving vehicles stuck in floodwater.

"For days after the flooding, crews were still being called to vehicles stuck in floodwater after motorists had ignored or moved road closure signs.

"Fire officers are asking residents not to drive through flood water, as they could be putting themselves or others in danger.

"Attending incidents which could be prevented may also divert fire crews from other incidents where lives are at risk."

Area manager Alex Hanson said: “It is impossible for motorists to tell how deep water is or the condition of the ground beneath. There is a significant risk to life if motorists become stranded.

“We recommend that people do not make non-essential journeys if they live in areas prone to flooding.

“If they do see floodwater on the road, they should not attempt to drive through it but should try to find an alternative route.

"And if a road has been closed, it is for the safety of the public and closure signs should be respected.”

9:58am

9:54am

9:52am

COMMUNITIES in Somerset are on flood watch today after a heavy night of rain across the county.

The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts for areas including the rivers Parrett and Tone as well as parts of Exmoor.

Localised flooding has been reported and drivers are being advised to take care in the treacherous conditions.