Somerset and Dorset flooding after Storm Chandra
Flood risk remains in Somerset and Dorset after Storm Chandra. If you live, study or work in the South West, keep a close eye on official updates. The Environment Agency warns of significant impacts and the Met Office has a yellow warning for rain in place today and overnight.
A major incident has been declared in Somerset as agencies step up their response. Somerset Council, the Environment Agency (EA) and emergency services are supporting communities after heavy rain. EA teams are operating extra high‑volume pumps on the Somerset Levels and Moors to lower water and reduce risk to nearby towns and villages.
In Dorset, the severe flood warning for the Lower Stour at Iford Bridge Home Park has been lifted, but river levels remain high. If you left your home, follow the advice of local responders about when it’s safe to return.
Across England, EA staff are checking flood defences, clearing river blockages and monitoring gauges through the night. The agency says crews will remain out in force over the coming days while conditions stay unsettled.
At this stage, around 147 properties have sadly been flooded, while nearly 10,900 have been protected by EA action. These figures tell two stories: some families face a difficult clean‑up, and many others avoided the worst because defences and pumps did their job.
What a yellow warning means for you: it signals a chance of disruption from heavy rain. Be ready for delays, keep checking the forecast, and look out for flood alerts where you live. Warnings can change quickly, so build in time to adjust plans.
Safety first on the roads. The EA reminds drivers not to enter flood water; it’s often deeper than it looks and about 30 centimetres of fast‑flowing water can float a car. If a road is closed, turn around and take another route.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy says she is in regular contact with the EA, councils and emergency services about the response. She urges residents to follow local advice over the next few days. The government highlights a £10.5 billion programme to protect a further 900,000 properties by 2036, plus over £100 million reprioritised to maintain existing flood assets.
How flood alerts work in England. The EA uses three levels: flood alert (prepare - flooding is possible), flood warning (act - flooding is expected) and severe flood warning (danger to life). Multiple groundwater warnings are in force across Wessex, and some rivers, moors and levels may continue to rise even as rain eases.
If you’re in halls, a rented flat or with family, make a simple plan tonight. Keep phones charged and a battery pack ready. Move valuables and important documents upstairs or onto higher shelves. Know how to switch off electricity, gas and water, and write down emergency contacts in case networks fail.
Look out for neighbours, course‑mates and anyone who may need extra help. If you’ve evacuated, wait for the all‑clear before going back. When you do return, wear waterproof gloves and boots, avoid using electricals until they’ve been checked, and photograph damage for insurers.
Get verified updates. Sign up for Environment Agency flood warnings by text, phone or email on gov.uk, and keep the Floodline number handy: 0345 988 1188. Trust official channels when making decisions about travel and returning home.