'Anxious' residents prepare for more flooding

"Anxious" residents have said they are preparing for flooding as more downpours are predicted.

A Met Office yellow weather warning is in place for parts of Wiltshire and Somerset until 23:59 GMT as up to 30mm (1.2 inches) of rain could fall in some parts.

More than 35 warnings are also in effect across Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, where the Environment Agency (EA) said flooding is expected near villages.

Briony Sadler, from Somerset's campaign group Flooding on the Levels Action Group, said: "Levels did go down a little bit, they have come back up again. This makes people super, super anxious."

Declaring a "major incident" two weeks ago, Somerset Council officials have been supporting residents hit by flooding.

Heavy downpours have caused a number of key roads to close and a small number of people remain in temporary accommodation after their homes were flooded, a Somerset Council spokesperson added.

Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, told BBC Radio Somerset some of his constituents have sandbags across their doors and have wrapped their furniture in bags so they float.

"The situation remains perilous for many people.

"Isn't it time we have permanent pumping stations ready to roll with a flick of a switch, rather than these trigger points being waited for and losing precious days.

"That would be a big, expensive job but it would be an investment that would save money in the long run," he added.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said they have made almost £78bn available to England's councils this year.

"We will continue working with local authorities in the south-west where emergencies occur, and will consider requests where financial support might be needed," they added.

The EA has issued flood warnings for properties in villages by the River Tone near Taunton, and those by the River Parrett including Moorland and West Yeo.

An EA spokesperson said they have deployed additional pumps across the Somerset Levels and Moors, and staff are on duty 24 hours a day.

"Installation of ultra-high volume submersible pumps at Dunball is under way on our expected schedule," they added.

In Wiltshire, 28 flood warnings have been issued for the Upper Avon between Chippenham and Melksham, with properties in Reybridge also at risk, according to the EA.

A warning is also in place for homes in Maisemore, Twyning and Sandhurst in Gloucestershire. And flooding on the A417 between Maisemore and Over near Gloucester is causing delays for motorists.

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