Residents in Somerset are facing their own private storm as they deal with a deluge of rain that has transformed their homes into lakes.
The Wade family's experience is all too familiar for many who have lived through floods before, but none so sudden and unexpected like this. On Tuesday morning, James and Faye Wade opened the back door to find an "expanse of water" instead of their neat garden. Within hours, their home was underwater, forcing them out into emergency accommodation.
"It's not just about keeping drains clean," said James, reflecting on what went wrong. "It's about having a dedicated pot of money to keep our drainage system properly maintained." Somerset council has been tackling the problem reactively rather than proactively, which is why more homes and businesses continue to flood.
Mike Rigby from Somerset Council agrees that their low-lying geography makes them prone to flooding. With another Met Office yellow warning coming into force for parts of the south-west on Thursday, fears are that even more will go underwater.
In Ilminster, residents like Allison Bushby have been living with the threat of flooding for years. She says it's not unusual in this area, but the recent rains have taken things to a new level. The council has invested heavily in dredging and pumping equipment, but Bryony Sadler from the Flooding on the Levels Action Group believes more needs to be done.
"This crisis is not over," Sadler said as she pointed out vast stretches of water that were not there earlier this week. "It's about managing water locally with people who understand our unique environment."
The Wade family's experience is all too familiar for many who have lived through floods before, but none so sudden and unexpected like this. On Tuesday morning, James and Faye Wade opened the back door to find an "expanse of water" instead of their neat garden. Within hours, their home was underwater, forcing them out into emergency accommodation.
"It's not just about keeping drains clean," said James, reflecting on what went wrong. "It's about having a dedicated pot of money to keep our drainage system properly maintained." Somerset council has been tackling the problem reactively rather than proactively, which is why more homes and businesses continue to flood.
Mike Rigby from Somerset Council agrees that their low-lying geography makes them prone to flooding. With another Met Office yellow warning coming into force for parts of the south-west on Thursday, fears are that even more will go underwater.
In Ilminster, residents like Allison Bushby have been living with the threat of flooding for years. She says it's not unusual in this area, but the recent rains have taken things to a new level. The council has invested heavily in dredging and pumping equipment, but Bryony Sadler from the Flooding on the Levels Action Group believes more needs to be done.
"This crisis is not over," Sadler said as she pointed out vast stretches of water that were not there earlier this week. "It's about managing water locally with people who understand our unique environment."
they're dealing with a flood crisis and it's just not fair 
the council needs to step up their game and invest in maintaining those drainage systems properly 
️ instead of just being reactive all the time 
I mean, we've heard this story before and it's still happening because nobody's doing enough to prevent it from happening again 
we need more funding for proactive measures like flood prevention schemes and better infrastructure 
not just a pot of money tossed at the problem when it arises 
floodin in somerset is like, super bad rn! it's not just homes gettin flooded but whole areas 
and ppl r losin their minds 
like "why didnt we prepare for dis?" 
and honestly i feel 4 them residents who hv been dealin w/ dis since yrs 
it's bout havin a system in place 2 prevent floods in the first place 
like what happened 2 the wade family 
" meanwhile bryony sadler from the Flooding on the Levels Action Group is all "nope, not enuf done 
"
the fact that they're reactively addressing this issue rather than proactively is just wow... 
. How much does maintenance actually cost? Like, what's the break down of that pot of money he mentioned? 
And how often is it being funded? Is it just a one-time thing or an ongoing budget?
. It's like they said, it's not just about keeping the drains clean, but also having a dedicated fund to maintain them properly 
.
. But at the same time, Bryony Sadler's point about local water management really resonates with me 
. It's like we need to learn from our unique environments and adapt our solutions accordingly 
.
. Maybe a combination of proactive maintenance, local adaptations, and community engagement would make all the difference 
. It's not just about the flooding itself, it's about the lack of investment in maintenance and planning 
. Somerset council needs to step up and take proactive measures, like allocating dedicated funds for drainage system upkeep 
. We can't keep relying on reactive measures that only help in the short term 
. And what really worries me is the impact on local businesses and communities 
. These families have been living with this threat for years, and it's not fair to expect them to foot the bill 
. I mean, it's one thing when you're expecting it and have a plan in place, but these guys are caught off guard like every time. It's not just about the council being reactive, though - I think they're trying their best with limited resources 
. And I'm with Bryony on this - we need to be doing more to manage water locally, taking into account the unique environment here. Can't just wait for it to happen and then react afterwards... gotta stay ahead of the game 
I mean, it's not like they're trying to cause floods or anything. And what about the council's investments in dredging and pumping equipment? Are those really just gonna sit there doing nothing? Or maybe they're just too little, too late... 
. And what really gets my goat is the constant warning of more flooding coming down the line 
Is it really just a matter of "managing water locally"? Sounds like bureaucratic speak to me. Where are these people who understand their unique environment coming from? 
But seriously, it's crazy how one unexpected rainstorm can turn your life upside down. I feel bad for the Wade family having to go into emergency accommodation, that's like being sent to a hostel... without the charm 
Just kidding, sorta...
. And let's not forget, this isn't just about Somerset, it's a national issue that needs attention 
. We need more than just dredging and pumping equipment to tackle this problem... some real solutions are needed 
.
! I mean, I can understand why it happens due to the geography and all that, but come on, can't they just invest some cash in maintaining those drainage systems?! It's not like it's rocket science. They say their low-lying area makes them prone to flooding, yeah, but shouldn't they be preparing for it? 