Imagine stepping into your backyard and finding not the familiar greenery, but an overwhelming expanse of water. This was the shocking reality for the Wade family in Taunton when their boxer puppy began barking at dawn, prompting them to check outside. Instead of their tidy garden, they were met with what James Wade described as a scene resembling a vast sea. As the hours passed, the water invaded their home, forcing James, his wife Faye, and their three children—ages six, eleven, and twelve—into emergency accommodation.
"We've lived here for 13 years, and this has never occurred before. Even during the severe floods of 2014, our property remained dry," James shared, reflecting the unexpected nature of the flooding.
The Wades are among approximately 50 households that Somerset council estimates have experienced flooding this week due to Storm Chandra's relentless assault on the UK. With another weather warning issued by the Met Office for parts of southwestern England, local officials fear that more residences and businesses could soon find themselves submerged, leading to the declaration of a major incident by the council.
Interestingly, even though the Wades' house is situated near Black Brook, which remained within its banks, experts believe that the flooding resulted from blocked drains causing water to rise unexpectedly.
"On one level, it's quite straightforward: they need to maintain the drains," Wade stated. "However, I also recognize that financial constraints and the effects of climate change are making heavy rainfall seem like a new normal."
Just a bit further east, residents in Ilminster were busy cleaning up their homes while bracing for another round of rain. Allison Bushby, a 59-year-old craftsperson who resides in a residential park on the town's outskirts, recounted how she was awakened by a flood alarm at 1 AM on Tuesday. By early morning, her small garden was inundated with water reaching thigh-high levels, compelling her to leave at 6 AM while she could still navigate the floods.
Flooding has become a recurring issue in this area; they faced similar troubles exactly a year prior. The water comes flooding in from various directions—agricultural fields, culverts, and clogged drains.
"I’m ready for it now," Bushby commented, explaining how she keeps her belongings in sturdy storage boxes that she elevates onto surfaces whenever rain threatens. "They’ve been a lifesaver."
During a recent visit from the Guardian, Bushby had just returned home and was in the midst of baking a cake for the park staff, whom she praised for their support during such trying times. "The entire community pulls together beautifully during these events."
Mike Rigby, who leads economic development, planning, and assets at Somerset council, explained that the region's geography—predominantly flat land surrounded by elevated areas like Exmoor and the Blackdown Hills—renders it particularly vulnerable to flooding.
The rain cascades down from the hills into populated areas. "Given our geographical context, we face a significant risk," Rigby acknowledged, noting that neighborhoods previously untouched by floods, including the Wades’ street, have now experienced such devastation. "We will need to look into that."
Rigby mentioned that the council generally responds to drainage issues reactively, addressing blockages as they arise through public reports or their own observations. Ideally, he advocates for a proactive approach to maintenance. "What we truly need is a dedicated fund, a specific grant from the government aimed at ensuring our drainage systems are well-maintained and up to standard."
He emphasized the necessity of reserving funds specifically for drainage work to prevent them from being diverted for other uses, such as social care.
The increasing frequency and severity of heavy rainfall events globally can be attributed to human-induced climate change. Leaders in Cornwall and Devon, recently affected by storms named Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra, have spoken out about the urgent need for increased funding to enhance resilience against such extreme weather.
Rigby remarked, "With the intense rainfall we are now experiencing, we must reconsider how we manage water effectively."
The flooding crisis in Somerset remains unresolved. In the low-lying Somerset Levels, where moors, rivers, and ditches intertwine, residents yet to be flooded are anxiously monitoring water levels.
Bryony Sadler, a mother, hairdresser, and spokesperson for the Flooding on the Levels Action Group (FLAG), took a walk with her dog while pointing out extensive stretches of water that had appeared since the beginning of the week.
This area gained notoriety in 2014 for severe flooding that lasted weeks. Although investments have been made in dredging rivers and upgrading pumping equipment since then, Sadler feels that merely checking off those tasks isn’t sufficient. "It’s as if they think their job is done. Tick. But this needs local management by people who truly understand the moors, not distant officials."
Sadler expressed concern not only for the residents but also for the wildlife inhabiting this rich natural environment. She pointed out a deer navigating through floodwaters. "What will happen to them, and the hedgehogs and worms?"
As dawn broke on Wednesday, the water level at the Northmoor main drain, located near Sadler's home, was measured at 4.04 meters (approximately 13 feet 3 inches). By 1 PM, it had risen to 4.14 meters. According to the Environment Agency, properties are at risk of flooding when levels exceed 4.13 meters.
Sadler was contemplating how to safely relocate her dogs, chickens, teenagers, and elderly mother if the water continued to rise. "Living here is usually beautiful," she reflected. "It's a wonderful place with remarkable people, but right now, it’s feeling somewhat disheartening."
