MOPPING up operations were underway across West Somerset and Exmoor on Saturday (November 15) after Storm Claudia swept across the district and dropped up to three inches of rain in many areas.

Both the Rivers Avill and Washford burst their banks and caused flooding of roads, just weeks after the Environment Agency announced it was stopping annual maintanence works on the watercourses to save money.

West Somerset and Exmoor escaped the worst of the storm, which had seen the Met Office issue a yellow weather warning, and did not suffer the epic flooding seen in the Midlands and Wales, where the weather alert had been upgraded to amber.

Geoff Broome took this photograph showing part of Dunster Beach had been swept away by Storm Claudia.
Geoff Broome took this photograph showing part of Dunster Beach had been swept away by Storm Claudia. (Geoff Broome)

Roads throughout the district were mostly passable with care, although traffic was dramatically slowed and many journeys took much longer than usual.

Buses continues to run, albeit behind schedule as drivers showed caution in driving through heavy surface water.

The roads were busier than usual on Friday because of the arrival of thousands of visitors attending a Butlin’s music weekend event in Minehead.

One of the worst areas appeared to be in Williton, where traffic backed up in both directions as water poured down Tower Hill and caused flooding, and a stretch of the A39 past Croft House was completely submerged.

This photograph of Minehead sea front as Storm Claudia moved away was taken by Nev Rimes.
This photograph of Minehead sea front as Storm Claudia moved away was taken by Nev Rimes. (Nev Rimes)

The A39 was also flooded along the Withycombe straight from Carhampton and into Bilbrook, and the A396 between Dunster and Timberscombe was cut by floodwaters for some hours.

Elsewhere, there was minor flooding on the A39 passing East Quantoxhead, Holford, Kilve, and Nether Stowey, and standing water in Doniford, while tonnes of sand was washed away on Dunster Beach.

But mostly drivers were able to complete their journeys by travelling slowly and exercising extra caution.

Driving conditions were made worse by fog late on Friday and early on Saturday which affected the Brendon Hills and the foothills of the Quantock Hills.

The Environment Agency issued flood alerts for Dulverton, Brushford, Winsford, Exton, and Exford, with particular concern for the Upper River Exe from Exford to Exebridge, and the Rivers Barle, Lyn, Mole, and Bray, and their tributaries.

Met Office chief forecaster Rebekah Hicks said: “Impacted areas will continue to see increasingly lighter rainfall through Saturday morning before eventually turning drier through the afternoon and into Sunday.

“There remains a risk of flooding so people should keep up to date with local flood warnings and take action where necessary.”