Somerset Council declares major incident as residents evacuated due to flooding
Homes in Chard and Ilminster were evacuated, as well as two nearby caravan sites
Somerset Council has declared a major incident after severe flooding over the weekend.
61 people and some pets were evacuated from a Somerton residential park and taken to the rest centre at Edgar Hall.
The council said crews used water rafts and boats, and also checked gas cylinders and other items to ensure the properties were left in a safe condition.
A spokesperson said: "Following intense rainfall across the region at the weekend, several parts of Somerset were flooded on Sunday afternoon, including roads and some homes in the centre of Chard and Ilminster.
“With further heavy rainfall expected to fall in the early hours of Monday morning, a major incident was called and a decision was made to carry out precautionary evacuations for residents living in properties in the worst affected areas, as well as a caravan site thought to be at risk.
“Rest centres were set up in Chard, Ilminster and Somerton, and all the relevant agencies will continue to work to keep residents safe.”
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