PARTS of Somerset saw more than half the average rainfall for this month fall in just a day leading to widespread flooding and the declaration of a major incident.

Flood warnings and alerts were in place across West Somerset and the wider county during Storm Eowyn, resulting in swollen river levels and road closures due to severe flooding.

A flood warning was in place at Sampford Brett Bridge, on the A358 near Williton, and at Sampford Mill Farm on Sunday, January 26.

Numerous other roads in the West Somerset, Wellington and Taunton areas were also affected, including the A38, A361 and numerous country lanes, while homes in Chard, Ilminster, Somerset and South Petherton bore the brunt of the torrential downpours.

More than 100 people were evacuated as a precautionary measure in the early hours of Monday, January 27, and rest centres were also set up and manned by Somerset Council staff with support of volunteers.

The Met Office has confirmed that 55.9mm of rain fell on Seavington St Michael on Sunday, January 26, when the average for the entire month of January is 100.26mm.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Somerset's rainfall so far this month isn't likely to trouble the record wettest January, though it has been wetter than average.”

Somerset Council stood down the major incident on Tuesday, January 28.

Information and advice about preparing for and recovering from flooding is available on Somerset Council’s website. Residents who have suffered any flood damage are reminded to take photographs of it for insurance claim purposes before clearing it up.

Somerset Council encourages anyone who has experienced flooding to report it online through this page: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/beaches-ports-and-flooding/flooding-information-and-advice/after-flooding/.

The information will help provide the council, as the lead flood authority, with a detailed picture of flood risk across Somerset.