PARTS of West Somerset have been placed on alert for possible flooding as a second storm in two days was due to strike on Saturday (October 24).

Meanwhile, hundreds of residents were into their second day without power after Storm Austen caused havoc across the area’s high voltage overhead cables network on Friday.

Electricity supplies were cut off to several thousands of homes and businesses on Friday in a number of areas, including Minehead, Dulverton, Simonsbath, Elworthy, Wheddon Cross, and Wiveliscombe.

National Grid Electricity Distribution said it could be late Saturday night before it had fully reconnected them.

A Met Office yellow weather warning for heavy rain all day oN Saturday as Storm Boelo sweeps the region
A Met Office yellow weather warning for heavy rain all day oN Saturday as Storm Boelo sweeps the region. (Met Office)

Storm Austen was the UK’s first named storm of the autumn, and the Met Office warned a second named Storm Boelo was following immediately behind.

It issued a yellow weather alert for heavy rain across the entire area from 11 am to 11 pm on Saturday.

A spokesperson said rainfall was expected to lead to surface water flooding in places with an inch or more of rain widely expected, and higher ground seeing up to 1.4 inches, some of which could fall in just a six-hour period.

The spokesperson said the rain should ease for a time through the evening, but it would be followed by another intense band of heavy rain following in from the west, before the whole system cleared away eastward to bring a clear night with a few scattered showers.

The Environment Agency issued a flood alert for the Exmoor coast near Porlock Weir, as high tides over the weekend could cause flooding.

It said the timeframe 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm on Saturday was of particular concern as the combination of high tides, strong winds, and large waves could result in flooding of roads and low lying land.

The area most at risk covered the coastline between Gore Point and Hurlstone Point, including Porlock Weir.

Hundreds of fell runners were out on Exmoor over the weekend as two storms in succession hit the area.
Hundreds of fell runners were out on Exmoor over the weekend as two storms in succession hit the area. (SW Fell Runners)

A spokesperson said: “We are closely monitoring the situation.

“Take care and avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water.”

In Dunster, a water mains repair has blocked West Street, outside Dunster Surgery, and diversions have been put in place.

Organisers of cycling’s National Hill Climb Championships and the Exmoor Targa car rally taking place on Porlock Toll Road on Sunday said both events would go ahead despite ‘rough’ conditions, with several hundred competitors and enthusiasts expected to descend on the village.

Hundreds of fell runners were also out on Exmoor from Friday through to Sunday for the Exmoor Mountain Marathon, a paired running event with orienteering-style markers and fixed camp for both nights at Westermill Farm, near Exford.

The new event was described by organisers as ‘both challenging and a great introduction to self-reliance, endurance, and navigation among stunning Exmoor’.