Somerset Flooding 2026

Since this winter’s floods, much has been going on in Somerset with recovery and review. The second wettest January and February on record was followed by a very dry spring; in Wessex, March and April saw 54% and 32% of the long-term average rainfall respectively. This illustrates the corresponding challenge of managing dry weather in a changing climate.

Major flood events can damage flood defence structures and equipment, and we have been undertaking an extensive programme of post-flood inspections. To date, we have inspected more than 1700 assets across Wessex to check where structures need repairs, with more inspections due to be completed this month. We are seeking additional funding to undertake repair work where needed. We are also nearing completion of a bypass culvert around Viney’s Bridge to improve flows to Northmoor Pumping Station.

A multi-agency flood recovery drop-in was held in Bathpool at the end of April, and information gathered at the event will inform Somerset Council’s report into the flooding that occurred there. This is known as a Section 19 investigation, and is a statutory duty under the Flood and Water Management Act when a significant number of properties in a community are flooded internally.

At present, Bathpool is the only location in Somerset where this winter’s flooding triggered a Section 19 investigation, but that doesn’t mean that other areas have been forgotten. We are working closely with partners including the Internal Drainage Board and Somerset Council to actively review information about flooding that occurred across the county. Somerset Council will be leading on a report on the Somerset Levels and Moors flooding, looking to identify learning and opportunities. The Local Resilience Forum, which is a partnership of all emergency response organisations, has also undertaken a debrief of the operational response across the county.

We are evaluating how our flood defence structures and equipment performed, and reviewing the overall response to the floods. We are looking for opportunities for further improvements that would reduce flood risk and improve efficiency and safety in future floods. We are also reviewing the trigger levels for pump deployment, and examining the feasibility and challenges of making temporary pump infrastructure permanent.

We are collecting important flood data, such as flood extents, that will help us better understand and manage flood risk in the future. We are also reviewing our own incident procedures to understand if any improvements could be made.

We continue to work with partners and communities across Wessex, and we will be attending further events including the Hestercombe Local Community Network meeting and Somerset Rivers Authority board meeting in June. These meetings provide an important forum where residents can hear updates and ask questions.

Pump demobilisation continues on the Somerset Levels and Moors as water levels continue to recede.

Road closure dates and times have been confirmed for West Yeo Road for the removal of pumps at Saltmoor Pumping Station:
Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 March, 9am – 5pm

In addition, there is likely to be a footpath closure at Huish Episcopi Pumping station, affecting footpath number L13/6 from its junction with footpath L21/50, heading in a north westerly direction for approximately 160 metres, on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 March.

Temporary pumps at Currymoor and Northmoor will remain in situ for the moment, with demobilisation likely in the coming weeks. We will provide updates if there are any operations that may affect access for local residents.

Following a significant pumping operation and recent drier weather, floodwater continues to recede and the situation continues to improve on the Somerset Levels and Moors. There are no longer any Flood Warnings in place in Somerset, although three Flood Alerts remain in force: Flood alerts and warnings - GOV.UK

The majority of extra pumps deployed throughout the event are no longer needed, and we are now removing pumps that are not being used. Extra pumps are still operating at Huish Episcopi pumping station, but at the majority of pumping stations across the moors, water levels in the drains are now at normal winter levels, and there is no longer enough water for extra pumps to run.

Standing water will remain on many of the fields until it works its way through the network of rhynes to the pumping stations, or in many cases where there is no gravity drainage, until the water soaks back into the ground.

We will begin demobilising pumps at Westonzoyland, Westover, Midelney and Dunball in the coming days, and the pumps at Elson’s Clyce will be removed on Tuesday 17 March. The extra pumps at Saltmoor are expected to be removed week commencing 23 March.

The following roads will be closed for pump removal:

Confirmed - Tuesday 17 March, 9am – 5pm: Huntworth Lane, near the Thatchers Arms, for the removal of pumps at Elson’s Clyce.

There will be a road closure at West Yeo Road for the removal of pumps at Saltmoor Pumping Station the following week. We will issue a further update to confirm road closure dates, but this is likely to be Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 March.

The forecast is for showers today and drier weather tomorrow, with no significant rainfall totals expected.

Following this winter’s floods, many members of the public have questions, and we are attending a number of public meetings where we will be speaking about recent flood events. This includes Somerset Council Local Community Network meetings with Parish and Town Council representatives, and the Somerset Rivers Authority board meeting on 20 March, with a segment set aside for public questions.

There will be a multi-agency drop-in for residents affected by flooding in Bathpool in Taunton, on Thursday 30 April from 3pm - 6.30pm at Brittons Ash Community Hall.

If you have queries that you’d like to ask the local team, email WessexEnquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Staff remain on duty 24 hours a day, monitoring assets and operations, forecasts and water levels.

Current situation

2 Flood Warnings remain in place at Currymoor and Haymoor; and Yeo and Parrett Moors, low lying properties around Muchelney. We have removed the A361 East Lyng to Burrowbridge Flood Warning today.

There are also 4 Flood Alerts in place across the Levels and Moors.

Cutts Road and New Road remain closed. Athelney spillway has stopped running and the A361 is open.

Drain levels in Currymoor, the Muchelney and Thorney moors upstream of Langport, and moors adjacent to the Parrett and Sowy (e.g. West Sedgemoor, Aller Moor) remain high but are reducing.

Friday will remain largely dry before a further spell of localised heavy rain moves into the southwest overnight. The longer-term forecast remains unsettled, and our flood warning duty officers continue to monitor the situation, closely linked in with the Flood Forecasting Centre at the Met Office.

Water levels across the Levels and Moors are falling. Station pumps continue to operate supported by temporary pump installations. Temporary pumps at Hook bridge are pumping directly from Haymoor into the River Tone to reduce levels in Haymoor and Currymoor. Oath lock sluice has been raised to allow free flow of the Parrett. Monksleaze Clyce remains open, diverting the River Parrett flow into the Parrett Flood Relief Channel (Sowy) before discharging through the King’s Sedgemoor Drain. Temporary pumps remain in place at Dunball to operate during high tide when water cannot gravitate into the River Parrett through Dunball Sluice. Pumping at all stations continues. Some temporary pumps have been switched off due to insufficient water to operate

We will begin demobilising temporary pumps from the Bridgwater Docks and at Fordgate over the next few days as the overall situation continues to improve.

Keeping you informed

To broaden our engagement, we have set up a webpage dedicated to the Somerset 2026 flooding. The latest situation updates will be posted here along with previous multi agency briefings, practical information and useful contacts. The page also provides links to more general information about flooding on the Levels and Moors, our response to Storm Chandra and details on investment since 2014.

We continue to provide updates via our local Facebook Page find us at 'Environment Agency - South and South West

Local Resilience Forum partners including the Environment Agency and Somerset Council have been publishing regular briefings since the flooding began. These are hosted on the Somerset Council website. For the latest briefing follow this link:
Major incident and flood response update: 20 February 2026