As severe weather hits the Bridgwater area for the first time in years, the local councils have been circulating advice for people regarding what precautions to take, where to find information and what contact numbers to use in the event of various situations.

Town Council Leader and Westover Ward councillor Brian Smedley said “The weather will only get worse and people shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of security and set out to travel unprepared, if they need to travel at all. The major danger will be ice, particularly dangerous in the dark. There are stories of people ‘panic buying’ in shops and while there have been busier than normal scenes in the supermarkets it appears to be manageable, and maybe exaggerated. Airports are open at the moment as are railway lines but the imminence of ‘Storm Emma’ tonight could well change all that. There is grit down but people need to take extra care particularly as wet paths freeze and then additional light coverings of snow might hide the dangers. People need to take note that this is a ‘Red Warning’ and that means ‘risk to life’, so whilst the snow might look lovely, there is also considerable cause for concern.”