Community Update Somerset Levels Flooding

Community update –Somerset Levels Flooding

Friday 14th February 2014

For the latest version of this update, visit

For latest weather forecasts, visit the Met Office

For flood warnings, visit or call (0345 988 1188).

***Latest news***

Half term advice for parents

With children out and about over half-term next week, Public Health England and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue have issued advice to parents in flooded areas:

Keep children and the vulnerable out of flood water
Don’t let children play near flood water
Avoid walking or driving through flood water if possible
Don’t walk on sea defences or riverbanks
Take care or avoid crossing bridges when water levels are high
Take care crossing culverts as they are dangerous when flooded
Don’t eat food that has touched floodwater
Wash your hands regularly in clean warm water with soap or use hand gel

Moorland to Huntworth footpath

Multi-agency work, with support from the Military, is underway to reinforce the footpath between Huntworth and Moorland. More than 100 tonnes of chippings have been used so far and when complete it will improve access between the two communities.

Flooding Surgeries and Public Meeting

South Somerset District Council is hosting a public meeting to help explain the current emergency flood relief works on Somerset Moors and Levels, chaired by the Council Chief Exec and supported by the Environment Agency.

It will be at Huish Episcopi Academy – Main School Hall, Wincanton Road, Langport TA10 9SS on Monday 17th February 2014, 2.00pm.Notes from the meeting will be available from South Somerset District Council on the Council website.

Weekly flooding surgeries are taking place at the Canalside Conference Centre, Marsh Lane, Bridgwater, for the next four Wednesdays, 6-8pm. Residents can talk one-to-one to representatives from the organisations providing help and support during the flood. The first surgery attracted more than 100 people. For further information please call 01278 435423.

Sandbags

Over 32,000 free sandbags have been provided by the three district council affected by the flooding. These are available to anyone at risk of flooding and staff have been working flat out to fill them for delivery and collection.

To request sandbags please contact Sedgemoor, Taunton Deane or South Somerset district councils using the contact details at the end of this update.

Welfare, benefits and Environmental Health information

This is provided for residents and businesses by district councils. They can give you help and advice around, temporarily homelessness, Council Tax reduction, housing benefits, business rates relief and Environmental Health services – such as dealing with septic tanks during this difficult time.Please use the contact details at the end of this update.

Contacting the police

Don’t forget the Police’s new dedicated email and the form on the Police website, both of which can be used to tell us your requirements and can be acted on 24-7.

This is in addition to the usual 101 Police number.

***General advice and support***

Making a donation or looking for help?

If you are in the flood affected area and think we can provide you with any supplies or practical help, please get in touch. We will try and match you up with the support and supplies at our disposal.

Whether you want to make a donation or seek help, you can call:

Somerset County Council on 0845 345 9166,
The Police on 101 – If it’s not an emergency they will pass you to the County Council
Sedgemoor District Council - 0845 408 2540, local rate 01278 435435

Transport Arrangements

Muchelney

A Unimog vehicle is serving the community provided by the Fire and Rescue Service, operating 6am to 11pm.

The west route, serving the Drayton area and beyond, is supported by a BV206 All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Wessex 4x4 operating 5am to 12pm. The County Council boat is serving the north towards Langport, running 8am to 4.30pm.

Huntworth to Moorland

An ATV is transporting people and supplies along this route. There is no timetable as this is a shuttle service responding to local requests, 5am to 12pm.

Oath

It is hoped that an ATV service will be available from Somerset County Council to support Oath in the coming days.

Information Points & Public events

Community Contact Vehicles (mobile police stations) are operating in Burrowbridge and Moorland.
South Somerset residents can visit Langport Information Centre, Bow Street, for advice and information. Opening times: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 2pm, for help with district council services.A home visit will be arranged for peoplewho can’t get to an office. Contact details at the end of this update, including details of other local community offices.
Sedgemoor District Council’s and Somerset County Council’s Full Council meeting is on Wednesday 19 February. A flood update will be discussed as well as the 6 week plan.

Fuel charges

The local authority has arranged the delivery of fuel (logs, coal, oil etc) to residents. A record is being kept of who gets what fuel delivered but payment is not being asked for on delivery. We will bill later, but can assure residents the charges will not exceed the normal cost for delivery.

You should arrange fuel deliveries with your usual supplier or with Darch Oils (07970 400945). The British Red Cross can only help deliver fuel when supplies cannot reach delivery points.

Grants Available

Grants at a flat rate of £250 are available to alleviate the immediate financial hardship experienced by people whose homes are flooded or who were evacuated from their homes due to flooding. Also, grants of between £150 and £1,000 may be awarded to households directly and indirectly affected by the floods. Contact Somerset Community Foundation on 01749 344949 or download the application form from

Health FAQs

A list of useful FAQs covering a range of flood related health topics such as preparing food safely, washing and drinking water safely can be found at

Evacuated your property?

If you have decided to evacuate your property, or have moved back in, please keep your District Council updated on your movements wherever possible. This helps keep people safe and protect properties. Contact details are at the bottom of this newsletter.

Emergency accommodation

There is a rest centre, established by Sedgemoor District Council, at WestfieldChurch in West Street, Bridgwater (TA6 7EU). Details available from Sedgemoor District Council on 0845 4082540 or from the police number 101.

Welfare of domestic and farm animals

If you need to move your animals – whether domestic or farm – as part of a possible flood evacuation, contact the police number 101 for further assistance and information.

Advice around floodwater

Keep out of floodwater wherever possible. Make sure children and pets don’t play in it, and keep cuts covered by plasters.

Make sure you wash you hands regularly with warm water and soap, especially before handling food. Wipe down food preparation surfaces and don’t eat food that’s been in contact with flood water. Remember, mains tap water is unaffected and safe to drink as usual.

If you need health services, please call 111 or your GP for advice in the normal way. In a medical emergency you should still dial 999 and ask for the ambulance service.

Keep Safe

If sandbagging defences alongside rivers, be aware of the risk of fast flowing rivers. This also applies on flooded drives, roads, and pavements, where obstructions could include man-hole covers that may become dislodged.
A public access defibrillator is in Muchelney’s church hall.
High profile Police patrols continue and crime figures for the area remain much the same as last year. Remain vigilant and call 101 if you see anything suspicious.

Please don’t use petrol or diesel generators or similar fuel-driven equipment indoors, be it for heating, pumping or generating electricity. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which can kill. More advice about carbon monoxide poisoning is available on the NHS Choices website ( Anyone who is worried about their health can contact NHS 111.

***Useful contact numbers***

Police – 101 for general calls and 999 for emergency calls
Environment Agency- 0345 9881188 for flood issues
Sedgemoor District Council:

Telephone: 0845 408 2540 or local rate 01278 435435. Outside of these hours their 24/7 number is 0800 917 6520.

Email:

Website:

South Somerset District Council:

Telephone: 01935 462462 Monday to Friday (8.45am to 5.15pm) with an out of hours service providing cover for emergencies outside of these times.

Email:

Website:

Taunton Deane Borough Council:

Tel: 01823 356356 with an out of hours service for emergencies

Emails:

Website:

Somerset County Council:

Roads and Transport 0845 345 9155

Adult Social Care 0845 345 9133

Children & Learning 0845 345 9122

General Enquiries 0845 345 9166

Emergency accommodation -call Sedgemoor District Council or Police 101 number
Farming Community Network - Local 01934 712128 National 0845 3679990
Mindline- 01823 276892 Line open: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 8pm-12am
Samaritans Taunton branch- 01823 288 998 (24hr); Yeovil branch 01935 476455
Somerset Carers Network- 01749 836 633
24 hour health care advice - 111

Village Agents - Community Council for Somersethas Village Agents who can be contacted for advice and support, especially for the vulnerable:

- Alison Hoare: 07798 703321. Moorland and surrounding area, Chedzoy, Westonzoyland,, Middlezoy

- Audrey Mansfield: 07870 577925. Creech St Michael and surrounding area including West Monkton, Ruishton, Lyng, Stoke St Gregory, Burrowbridge, Othery.

- Carolyn Roche: 07968 521746. Muchenley area Hamdons, Montacute, Chilithorne Domer, Ash.

If you wish to contact the Village Agent manager 01823 331222