Exclusive: Government says emergency alert not needed during flash floods

The government has defended not issuing an alert using the new mobile system ahead of Tuesday’s flash floods in Devon and Somerset.

The extreme weather which has left many people clearing up mess and counting the cost of repairs.

Speaking exclusively to us, the Cabinet Office has said the emergency alert system will only be introduced if there's an immediate risk to life, despite calls for it to have been used on this occasion.

Homes had to be evacuated in North Cadbury over in Somerset one of the worst hit places on Tuesday night.

Dechen Chodron is the village agent in North Cadbury. She says lessons haven’t been learnt since the 2013-14 floods in Somerset:

"Where was the warning?

"There's a flood gate which opens the water out onto the fields but we don't know where that was.

"We were apparently told that wasn't open, despite warnings being issued."

James Watts runs the village hall there - he says something should've been put in place immediately:

"I'm sure the whole idea of the test alarm system the government's done would come into force for something like this.

"What's the point in it otherwise."

The video below shows the aftermath in the village yesterday.

Local councils and other officials say support is available to those who need it as clear up operations continue.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said:

“We were in North Cadbury last night and again today as part of the multi-agency response to the flooding.

“We’re not aware of any ‘sewage in the street’ but the sheer volume of rainfall has led to the river overtopping and inundating our sewers. There is also river silt – sometimes mistaken for sewage debris – that has flooded onto roads.

“Flooding on this scale is extremely distressing for those affected and we’ll continue working in the area, helping customers with any sewerage issues and monitoring our network.”

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