Wells MP James Heappey has encouraged members of the public living in low lying and coastal areas to have a plan to protect themselves and their property from flooding as the weather turns and winter sets in. Speaking after Storm Angus brought heavy rain and widespread flooding to Somerset in recent weeks, Mr Heappey warned that it was a timely reminder of the risks we face in the county.
Following a recent visit to the Flooding on the Levels Action Group (FLAG) in Burrowbridge, Mr Heappey joined Mendip West County Councillor Graham Noel to check conditions on the River Brue near Meare and Westhay and to discuss the preparedness of the local area in the event of further heavy rainfall.
“I thought the rhynes, drains and rivers coped very well with Storm Angus and whilst there is still some water on the fields in some parts of the Wells Constituency, water levels in the drainage system were mostly kept at manageable levels despite the heavy rainfall” said Mr Heappey. “The Environment Agency were quick to switch on the pumps, provided timely updates on their plans for dealing with the water and accelerated the lowering of water levels to winter penning. I think the dredging completed in recent months was also proven to be most helpful.”
However, despite the positive views on the management of Storm Angus, Mr Heappey and Cllr Noel were keen to encourage local residents to make sure they were ‘Flood Aware’.
Cllr Noel said: “Progress continues to made with flood prevention measures on the Somerset Levels but there will always be a risk and so it pays to be properly prepared. Local residents should sign up for the Environment Agency’s flood alerts on the Floods Destroy website and should look at what simple precautions they could take as part of their personal flood action plan.”
Mr Heappey added: “Forecasting is now really good and our drainage system is in much better shape too but floods can still happen and sometimes they can happen quickly. Just knowing the safest route to higher ground and having a few blankets, clothes and essentials easily at hand in case home as to be left in a hurry could make a big difference.”