Wednesday, 1 November 2023
Storm Ciaran: Prepare for potential disruption
We’re warning residents to be prepared for possible disruption from high winds and flash flooding overnight tonight and into tomorrow (Thursday), as Storm Ciaran pushes across the South West.
Winds of up to 70mph are forecast for much of the county, particularly coastal areas, through much of tomorrow, bringing the risk of flying debris, falling trees and power cuts.
We’re preparing for the storm with 20 crews of tree surgeons on standby tonight and tomorrow and planned roadworks are being put on hold to allow more staff to respond to emergencies.
Council teams are also on standby for any clear-up duties and to help vulnerable people across Somerset and anyone affected by flooding.
Residents are encouraged to monitor Met Office forecasts and flood warnings, and homeowners in flood risk areas are advised to consider taking suitable precautions.
The timing of rainfall, high tides and already-saturated farmland, means there is a risk of localised flooding which could affect roads and potentially homes.
Travel advice
Please check @TravelSomerset on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest updates on roads and wider travel.
School closures
Parents are encouraged to check school websites or our School closures webpage and look out for text messages in the morning in case any schools have had to close.
Waste collections
Recycling and refuse collections are scheduled to take place as usual. Any collections disrupted by severe weather will be returned for as soon as possible.
The 9 recycling sites due to open tomorrow are planning to open as usual, though local managers will close them if there are any safety concerns for staff or public. Please check @SomersetWaste on Facebook and X for the latest updates.
What to do
Anyone whose property floods can report it via the South West Information Management (SWIM) website or email flooding@somerset.gov.uk. Anyone who needs support can call 0300 123 2224 and choose option 1 during office hours.
Preparing for potential flooding
Thinking ahead and preparing for what the weather may bring can make a real difference to homes, businesses and communities. One of the first things is to check whether a property is at risk of flooding.
We recommend taking precautions and using sandbags in case of emergencies. If sandbags are not available, the following can be used:
- Rolled-up mats or carpets
- Bags of garden compost
- Pillowcases filled with soil (don’t overfill them)
- Timber boards (possibly screwed to door frames, sealed with mastic)
Flooding and roads – key information
Heavy rain and flooding present a danger to drivers – road users are urged NOT to attempt to drive across flooded roads as it’s impossible to estimate the depth of the water reliably.
It’s vital to prepare for wet conditions. Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution. If caught in floods, information and advice is available on the Somerset Road Safety’s Adverse weather conditions webpage.
For drain and gully problems or any issue on the highway, report it easily and quickly via our Road problems webpage.
For more information on what to do during and after a flood:
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