The Environment Agency in partnership with local authorities yesterday took the decision to declare a major incident on the Somerset Levels to ensure local partners can take a coordinated response to flooding.

A submersible pump being lowered at Northmoor

However, describing this as “a precautionary move”, the Agency said imminent flooding to properties is not expected, although the risk of flooding will remain live for the coming week.

A pumping operation started last week and additional pumps were deployed on Tuesday evening at Northmoor to reduce the amount of water being stored at Currymoor, which remains full, until river levels allow pumping to resume.

We Water levels are expected to reduce in Northmoor, Saltmoor and Currymoor now that river levels have dropped to allow pumping.

The agency is currently responding to flooding incidents in Somerset, flood risk in the Bristol Avon area and monitoring rising groundwater levels in Dorset.

Ian Withers of the Environment Agency said:

“The sight of water on the Somerset Levels and Moors is obviously a concern to those who have suffered from flooding before. Our staff continue to work to the best of their abilities to protect people and properties, install pumps and engage with communities.

“The situation is expected to improve when enhanced pumping begins and we continue to run the Sowy flood relief channel, it is prudent to plan for the worst and going into major incident mode is appropriate, so we coordinate with partners and everyone is ready to respond if needed.”

Additional pumps are pumping at Saltmoor and Northmoor, to help reduce levels as much as possible when the River Parrett has capacity. Extra pumps are also ready to use at Currymoor once conditions allow

Once the water level at Currymoor has reduced, Athelney spillway will stop flowing into Northmoor as well as the A361 between East Lyng and Burrowbridge where a flood warning for the area has been in place and the road closed.

A flood warning has also been issued for Saltmoor and Northmoor and agency officers were in the village of Moorland yesterday to meet with residents and offer advice and support.

To allow pumping to continue more frequently and for longer at impacted pump stations, water is being diverted to the Sowy flood relief channel and King’s Sedgemoor Drain to Dunball, where pumps are being installed to allow pumping to continue in the event of high tide.

The Somerset Levels & Moors are designed to store flood water when the rivers flowing through them over top. The recent heavy rain has caused spillways (specifically designed low points in the riverbanks) on the Rivers Tone and Parrett to flow and water is stored on the moors.

The Environment Agency has 250 high volume pumps available and 5,000 trained staff across the country.

Northmoor Pumping Station

Three additional pumps become operational on Uesday, and the remaining seven pumps operational over the next 24-48hrs. At Park Brook, Elson’s Clyce we installed two pumps yesterday evening. This will further help remove water from Northmoor.

Saltmoor Pumping Station

Five temporary pumps have been operational at Saltmoor since Sunday. After an emergency road closure, facilitated by Somerset County Council the Agency added a further five temporary pumps yesterday.

Dunball

The installation of pumps at Dunball continues which will be switched on as soon as each one comes online, allowingthe Agency to direct even more water down the River Sowy and into King’s Sedgemoor Drain. This will help to reduce levels in the River Parrett and Tone. Minimising levels in the Tone is important because it reduces the amount of floodwater that enters Currymoor, Saltmoor and Northmoor.

Currymoor Pumping Station

Additional pumps were installed at Currymoor last weekend. The Agency is ready to run these pumps as soon as levels in the Tone recede. Currymoor remains full.

Langport Upstream of Langport, there is water stored on the moors and storage volumes remain high. All pumping stations are off. When river levels reduce enough, the Agency will balance which pumping stations operate to minimise risk to people or property.