Severe Flood Warning Issued – Danger to Life

A Severe Flood Warning has been issued by the Environment Agency for the Salt Moor and North Moor including Moorland.

This Severe Flood Warning is for Salt Moor and North Moor including East Lyng, Burrowbridge, West Yeo, Moorland and Fordgate.

Flooding is expected to affect up to 100 properties in this area.

The River Tone is continuing to spill into Currymoor reservoir via Hookbridge spillway. The drain level at Currymoor pumping station is 7.8 m and is continuing to rise in response to this. There is an imminent risk that Baltmoor Wall will overtop resulting in a specific increased risk from flooding to properties in the Moorland, Northmoor and Fordgate areas. The police are currently on site advising the most vulnerable properties to evacuate their properties.

PLEASE NOTE. The number of properties stated above is the total properties in this area. Risk of severe disruption to communities is possible. Activate emergency procedures and mobilise resources as required.

• To speak to your local Environment Agency Duty Officer, call the Incident Communication Service on 0845 850 3518.
• Advise the public to call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 using quickdial 164025 for up-to-date flooding information.
• The Environment Agency website contains details of river level and flooding information and can be accessed at www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
• Please report any flooding in your area to your local Environment Agency office.

Background

Bridgwater is, as a rule , at serious risk of flooding. The Westover ward is largely above the water line as it contains the ancient heights upon which the castle was built and extends to the foothills of Hamp Hill. However, the entire town east of the river is potentially Marineville.

On 3rd January 2014 the River Parret burst its banks into the Westover ward at Blake Gardens, and combined with the nearby Mill stream overflowing affected properties in St Saviours avenue.

At the same time the tidal surge at 0745 reach above the arch of the town bridge .

Water appearing in nearby west quay came up via the drains, which had clearly failed.

To keep abreast of developments look at the floodmap attached and keep in touch with the ENVIRONMENT AGENCY WEB SITE.

The relevant SEDGEMOOR link for sandbags etc is at COLLEY LANE.

Residents wishing to collect sandbags, should contact Sedgemoor District Council on 0845 408 2540, to check when the depot is open for collections. The Council will keep the stock of sandbags at the Council Depot at Colley Lane, Bridgwater (Postcode TA6 5LB). The Council cannot guarantee the provision of sandbags outside of normal working hours.

The map above is the floodzone RISK area as identified by the ENVIRONMENT AGENCY. The EA is severely under-resourced and under increasing pressure to take expensive actions such as re-introduce dredging to the river. This concern is very well founded. Only a short time ago in 1607 (in geo-history terms) Somerset reverted to it’s state at the time of King Alfred (the 9th century) when a tsunami hit the area. The map below shows exactly what it looked like in the 9th century and the boundaries of the inundation in 1607.