Situation and Dredging updates

The latest (28th Feb) Situation Update is here.

News on dredging in the Parrett catchment is included here for information. Although it may not directly affect most of the village, once it starts there will be some traffic disruption in the area.

High tides over weekend

The Environment Agency warns that high tides over the weekend, with a peak at 8.00am on Monday 4th March, may adversely affect water levels in the Parrett Estuary, but are not expected to cause additional flooding problems unless there is a strong tidal surge.

The full update on pumping operations, which are steadily reducing water levels, is available here.

The Community Update has info on local transport arrangements for flood victims (Bridgwater/Burrowbridge etc)

Pumping Update

With falling river levels more pumps can operate to remove excess water from the Levels. The latest information for the Environment Agency is here.

Community Update 25/2

The latest Community Update, available here, consolidates a lot of information into one rather long document, but most of the information applies to areas beyond Aller.

Useful list of contacts on the last page, and the safety advice is applicable to everyone. Good to hear Oath may get a reliable transport service at last.

Langport Firing Range

The timetable for firing at the Range is available here.

24th February

The latest situation update is here.
Please note: a subsequent verbal update from the EA indicates Monks Leaze Clyce has been raised a further 20cm today, without incident.

Monks Leaze Clyse opening today (Sat)

The Environment Agency have decided, in view of the faster than expected decrease in water levels around Aller, to bring forward the opening of the sluice at Monks Leaze Clyse. It will be opened gradually, from today with close monitoring of water levels downstream. This means the pumps at Seven Bends will operate as necessary to deal with the increased flow. Pumping is expected to take place soon afterwards to relieve Oath and Langport

The full update can be read here.

Friday 21st Update

The update on the flooding situation is here.
Watch for a new email to all people of Aller Parish, with latest news, including the proposed schedule for opening Monks Leaze Clyse.

This helicopter carrying a very heavy load, swinging wildly, passed over this afternoon. Not sure where it was going.

Latest Community Update

The Community Update for 21/2 is here.

Dredging - at last

Dredging to start on the Rivers Tone and Parrett as soon as possible

Dredging of the Somerset Levels will begin next month as soon as it is safe and practical to do so, the Environment Agency (EA) announced today. The Environment Agency is formally advertising the works in preparation for work to start. A copy of the briefing note is available here.

Dredging will take place on eight kilometres of river channel where the Tone and Parrett meet at Burrowbridge. Work will start on a 200 metre long stretch of the river Parrett north of Coates Farm.

Community update – Somerset Levels Flooding

The update for 19/2/14 is available in full here.

This version includes information about weekend opening hours for some offices and services (mostly in Sedgemoor) and news of an EDF scheme to help victims of flooding.

The second breakdown of the BV serving Oath shows the vulnerability of this link. Comments from our residents there 'the BV is not fit for purpose, being unreliable, uncomfortable, noisy and extremely difficult to get in and out of, whereas the tractor and trailer has none of those disadvantages.'

Community Update 18/2

This is the latest update from the Police, detailing a lot of the road closures and special transport arrangements for the area. There is also useful information on safety and hygeine for anyone affected by flooding, plus contact details for various organisations.

You can view it by clicking here.

Community Update 14-16 Feb

The information in this Community Update from the Police may now be slightly out of date. Events move quickly and sometimes the communication channels used by the major agencies don't work quite as well or as fast as they should, especially when the prolonged crisis is putting everyone under pressure.

The report is here.

Allermoor Spillway Repair Works

There is important remedial work due to take place on the Allermoor spillway, as soon as conditions allow. It will result in increased traffic in the village. The full details are in the EA document available here. There are copies of this on various notice boards around the village.

The latest situation report from the EA is here

Better communication around the village

The current flood situation has highlighted the need to improve our communication with the village, to ensure that information arrives in a timely manner, without unnecessary duplication. Various village organisations are working with the Parish Council to bring this about.

Within the next 24 hours, any villagers for whom we have an email address should receive a newsletter, asking them to confirm their details and by doing so agree to receive email notifications.

We ask everyone to look out for neighbours who might not have email, to ensure they are fully notified. Anyone who is not a member of village organisations is unlikely to be on our list, so please forward the email, when it arrives, to them. Alternatively, you can complete the form below.

It is important that everyone in the village is covered. Thanks for your cooperation

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15/2 EA update

The latest update from the Environment Agency is here.

The letter gives 48hrs notice of the intention to increase the flow in the Sowy by opening Monks Leaze Clyse gradually. This should take place on Tuesday or Wednesday. The second page of the document explains the procedure that is being adopted, which is basically as described by Peter Maltby at our parish meeting last week..

Aller Parish Update Friday 14 Feb

Dear all

Since the meeting on Tuesday there has been a marked improvement in communications with SSDC and the authorities generally. The Police and authorities can be informed of non urgent flood related issues using the link here <https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact-us/flooding-on-somerset-levels/>. Routine Police Patrols have been stepped up including Officers in 4 x 4 vehicles patrolling otherwise hard to access areas. More information in a Community Update from the Police that can be downloaded from Alleronline (link below)

SSDC have arranged an information meeting for Monday next at 2pm at Huish School - More details below - to enable more people to get the sort of information given at Aller's meeting on Tuesday. It is appreciated that this is a difficult time of day for many but notes from the meeting will be available afterwards for those unable to attend. I will try to post any new information that is given on the PC website/Facebook and by email. 

As of this morning four pumps of the planned eight were operational at Dunball. There is no update on the timing for gradual opening of the Sluice at Monksleaze. I was assured by the EA yesterday that for reassurance and in order to keep residents informed, those on Aller Drove and some on Church Path close to Aller Drove will be visited and leafleted with information prior to that operation commencing. Information will also be circulated by email and on the parish website / Facebook page. 

Information related to specific areas of the parish;

Aller

There have been concerns for those in residents on Aller Drove that have at times been cut off by flood water in the event of needing medical attention or for attending routine medical appointments and the like. SSDC are aware of those in that area with specific transport issues as are the Police. 

In the event of anyone needing help to get to a non urgent medical appointment when they are cut off by flooding please call 101 in plenty of time and they will endeavour to help with specialist vehicles. For urgent medical help, call 999 as usual.

Oath

It is hoped that a vehicle will be provided to provide a ferry service to Oath by Saturday. A temporary measure was being investigated and may have been operating today. Somerset waste Partnership have agreed a revised programme for the removal of refuse. SSDC Environment Officers visited on Thursday and Police visits should have commenced by today. 

Beer

Police and Highways have been made aware of the issue with unsuitable vehicles attempting to drive through Beer. Signs have been requested but there is a shortage due to the demand for signage caused by road closures.

Links: Aller PC Facebook Page <https://www.facebook.com/AllerParishCouncil>                    
Aller Online (DragonFlyer) <http://www.alleronline.co.uk>

Some of the documents are quite long but I will try to provide up to date hard copies available via the noticeboard in the Old Pound for those without email. If there are specific difficulties not addressed here please contact me or any Parish Councillor and we will do our best to help.

David Mayor

Chairman

Aller Parish Council

Avonwater, High St., Aller

01458 253623 

EMERGENCY FLOOD RELIEF WORKS ON SOMERSET MOORS AND LEVELS

South Somerset District Council is hosting a public meeting to help explain the current emergency flood relief works on the Somerset Moors and Levels and to answer any questions you may have.

Date: Monday 17th February 2014
Time: 2 - 4pm
Venue: Huish Episcopi Academy (Main Hall), Wincanton Road, Langport TA10 9SS

The meeting will be chaired by Mark Williams, Chief Executive, South Somerset District Council, supported by officers of the Environment Agency.

We appreciate that this is short notice, and that attendance may be difficult due to the time of day. Notes from the meeting will be available from South Somerset District Council after the meeting and on our website. There is further information on the flood incident available atwww.southsomerset.gov.uk/majorincident

SSDC message to residents and businesses affected by flooding in South Somerset: -
Call us on 01935 462462 Monday to Friday (8.45am to 5.15pm) - an out-of-hours service providing cover for emergencies operates outside of these times. In addition you can visit an SSDC Customer Advisor at the Langport Information Centre, Bow Street. Opening times: Mon, Tues and Thurs 9am to 2.00pm. (See our website for details of our other local community offices). For help with SSDC services, a home visit will be arranged for those residents unable to access an office or use our services by phone or on-line. SSDC will help those who may be made temporarily homeless and once the initial stage of this major incident has passed, we will be working to help communities recover. Other services include help with council tax reduction & housing benefits, business rates relief, and environmental health services - including guidance on dealing with septic tanks during this difficult time.

Contacts for help and support in Somerset

There is a very useful listing of contacts for various emergencies during the flooding here.
Published by Somerset County Council, but on their Newsroom website, so not immediately visible.

Click to enlarge, or visit the link above.

Thursday 13th Feb update

The latest news from the Environment Agency is available here.

From approximately 5am tomorrow (Friday 14 Feb) heavy rain is forecast, with rainfall of approximately 20mm expected.

Winds are decreasing today with speeds of 15-20mph, gusting to 25mph. On Friday and Saturday winds will pick up, gusting to 50mph.

Firing Range use - Feb

Details of the use of the Firing Range for February are available here.

Flood update 12/2/14

A very well attended meeting at Aller Village Hall last night heard Peter Maltby, chair of the Inland Drainage Board and one of our local farmers, clarify the situation of flooding and water management affecting the area. Peter outlined the present situation, which is likely to persist for some time before things return completely to normal, and also spoke of some of the medium and long term measures that may take place once water levels subside. The concensus is that the measures being adopted will ensure that the situation in the village does not deteriorate, but it may be some days before we see the benefit of the pumps now being put in place.
The latest situation update from EA is here.
A more detailed update on the pumping strategy, supporting the discussion at the village hall, is also provided here.

Update on Pumping 10/2/14

Full report from EA is here.

The Environment Agency in partnership with Gold and Silver Control have been working on a number of short term, emergency options to maximise the amount of floodwater that can be pumped away from the Somerset Levels and Moors as quickly as possible. This includes options like pumping to the Taunton and Bridgwater Canal, increasing the volume of floodwater that goes down the Sowy (River Parrett Alleviation channel) and pumping at both Beer Wall and Dunball.

Pumping at Beer Wall and Dunball and increase the volume of floodwater going into the Sowy is due to commence by mid week. All risks and benefits across the Somerset Moors and Levels have been considered in making this decision. This is an emergency situation and some very difficult decisions have to be made.

They apologise for the inconvenience caused by road closures and ongoing work.

Emergency Meeting Tues Feb 11th, 7pm

Emergency Parish Council Meeting

There will be an emergency meeting of Aller Parish Council at 7pm on Tuesday next (11th Feb) at the Village Hall to consider the current flooding situation and any additional action required by the PC.
1. Flood situation in the Parish
2. Flood defence work in Aller
3. Pumps at Seven Bends
4. Highways

There is a considerable amount of work taking place over the weekend to try to alleviate the flood risk and protect vulnerable parts of the village.

Floods update 7/8 Feb

The latest (7th) update from the Environment Agency is here. Local radio is giving excellent coverage of road closures and the latest news on a rapidly changing situation.
Road closures are, however, generally poorly signposted and diversions are often not signed at all.

Closure of A372 at Seven Bends

Major flood alleviation works will require the closure of the A372 between Othery and Aller.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works.  These works are likely to continue over the weekend.

Working closely with partners the Environment Agency has been able to secure approval to evacuate additional water down the River Parrett relief channel (Sowy). This will include additional pumping on the Sowy and King’s Sedgemoor Drain to ensure this water is evacuated quickly. They are extremely large units and will require the A372 road to stay closed for the period they are operating.

If you have any questions about this, please call 0800 807060 and ask to speak to the Somerset Flood Incident Duty Officer.

6th Feb update

Thursday 6 February 2014

Weather forecast

Overnight rain brought 2mm of rain.  The forecast for the next 24 hours is for widespread rain throughout the day and into Friday morning.  During this time we can expect totals of 20mm.  There is a small respite before another band of rain moves in on Friday / Saturday. The current forecast is for 11mm from midday on Friday to midnight and a further 11mm on Saturday.

At Northmoor, the average rate of rise is currently 14.5mm pr hr.

Baltmoor Wall continues to overtop at 20mm over 70 mtrs.  We have an engineer on site monitoring the situation.

Stanmoor Bank is also being monitored, we have placed sandbags along the bank.

Storms and Floods 4/2/14

The latest weather forecast is for a band of rain to spread east into Somerset during this evening, with some heavy bursts as it clears into Wednesday morning. Strong south easterly winds are expected with rainfall totals of between 15 – 25mm. Whilst river levels are generally falling at present, we can expect levels to rise for a time overnight in response to the forecast rainfall and this could pose a risk of flooding to low lying land and minor roads. Further bands of showery rain will spread in from the west on Wednesday morning accompanied during the afternoon by gale force westerly winds. These showers will tend to gradually ease late on Wednesday evening.

The latest Environment Agency warnings can be found here.