GALE force winds and heavy rain caused a river to burst its banks, closed main roads and wrecked the iconic Tarr Steps bridge as West Somerset was battered by Storm Angus at the weekend.

And across the county, Somerset County Council highways teams responded to over 500 weather-related calls as more than the monthly average of 90mm of rain for November fell in just 48 hours, with around 420 calls about flooding on roads and the rest reporting traffic accidents, fallen trees, debris or road damage.

West Somerset Flood Group was on high alert throughout the weekend.

But the worst storm to hit West Somerset since 2012 had less effect than that one because the community was much better prepared, said the group’s secretary Dr Theresa Bridgeman.

Volunteers from 14 towns and parishes across the area continuously monitored and cleared gullies and drains to stop water gathering in flood black spots.

“Everyone knew what to do, unlike four years ago,” Dr Bridgeman said.

“Each community had its own plan and was ready to help vulnerable households.

“Being properly organised made an incredible difference and the community felt more confident and reassured that, however bad things got, something positive would be done.”

For the second time in four years, the Bronze Age clapper bridge at Tarr Steps was severely damaged by the flooded River Barle when stones of the middle section, weighing up to two tons each, were swept away on Saturday.

Scott Broomfield, bar manager of the nearby Tarr Steps Inn, said: “The flood water quickly made the river a raging torrent and the bridge disappeared, just as it did in 2012.

“We thought that the cables that are now stretched across the river further upstream would stop debris hitting the stones, but the damage is just the same as last time.”

County council engineers were this week waiting for the water to subside before they could assess the situation, but damage caused to the bridge in 2012 cost £10,000.

The 50-metre long grade one listed bridge attracts thousands of visitors every year. The Two Moors Way and other popular walking routes will be closed until repairs are complete.

A county council spokesman said: “As an ancient monument, the bridge must be put back exactly the way it was.”

There was severe flooding on the A39 on the Dunster Straight after the River Avill burst its banks at Packhorse Bridge and ran onto the road through the showground.

The road was impassable for more than three hours and fire crews were called to help drivers trapped in rising flood water. A tailback spread several miles and by early evening had reached as far as Seaward Way, Minehead, halting Minehead-Taunton bus services.

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