Dozens of Somerset residents can’t return home after severe flooding from Storm Herminia. Somerset Council declared a major incident on Monday due to the floods, which forced 100 people to evacuate from Ilminster, Chard, and South Petherton. The precautionary evacuation affected residential and business properties.
On Tuesday morning, the major incident notice was lifted, but a multi-agency response is still in place, and residents may be offered temporary accommodation for the night.
Jean Pas, a bridal shop owner in Ilminster, lost 200 dresses to the floodwater. “This is the second time it’s happened but it’s worse,” she said. “There was mud everywhere, and all of my stock was ruined.”
Floods closed two of the four emergency gates on the Somerset Levels. The council warned drivers to avoid floodwaters and respect road closure signs.
Somerset Council opened two emergency rest centres in Ilminster and Chard and provided temporary accommodation for people evacuated from a caravan site near Somerton, where Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue are pumping out floodwater. Residents won’t return home until at least Wednesday.
The clean-up is underway, with street cleaners clearing the high streets of mud and debris from the floods. Despite the efforts, Somerset remains under several flood warnings. Six flood warnings have been issued for Somerset, and areas like Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Bristol are also under alert. Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire has a new red warning.
The community has rallied together in response to the disaster. Councillor Jason Baker appreciated the donations to the Guildhall, Chard’s town hall, set up as a temporary refuge for those affected. “It was nice to see the community pull together for those struggling,” he said.
Somerset’s Council Leader, Bill Revans, reminded everyone to be cautious: “Look out for your neighbours, don’t drive through floodwater, and call 999 if there’s a serious risk to life due to flooding.”
Ian Withers from the Environment Agency warned that predicting the location of intense rainfall remains a challenge. “The message for us, our partners, and communities is that we could be victims of this type of rain, and with climate change, that is more likely,” he said. “We need to make our homes, businesses, or travel plans more resilient.”
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