The local area faced severe challenges as Storm Henk brought heavy rain and widespread flooding to various parts of the county.

Emergency services, particularly fire crews, were called into action on Thursday, January 4, to respond to multiple incidents caused by the storm.

In Wells, around 10:07 pm, fire crews assisted with a precarious situation where a car had driven into floodwaters in Upper Coxley. They successfully helped a person trapped in the vehicle to safety. Earlier, at 8:37 pm, flooding at a property in the St Cuthbert Out area affected the electrics, posing a risk to the vulnerable occupants. Firefighters, equipped with flood suits and hose inflation kits, used wading poles to evacuate three people from their home, relocating them to safety with their neighbours.

The Longbridge Road area of Shepton Mallet also saw significant flooding, prompting a call to firefighters at 7:42 pm. The crew utilised a mini ejector pump to remove water from a flooded property, effectively reducing the water level inside.

Flooding in Shepton (Photo: Friends of Windsor Hill Tunnels/Facebook)

Additionally, a crew from Shepton Mallet was mobilised at 6:51 pm to a car stuck in flood water on Wells Road, which was blocking the highway. The firefighters made their way to the vehicle and managed to push it to a safe area, offering advice to the driver.

At 6:08 pm, fire control dispatched crews from Martock and Somerton following reports of a vehicle stranded in flood water, with one occupant inside. The fire crew assisted the occupant to dry land and helped push the vehicle out of the flood water. Fortunately, no injuries were reported at the scene.

The flooding was not just limited to these incidents, with reports indicating substantial impact on the Somerset Levels, and in areas like Greinton, Stoke St Gregory, and North Curry.

In a heartening display of community spirit, residents of Shepton, Wells, and Croscombe took to social media to offer help and support during the rain and in the aftermath of the flooding. Their efforts played a vital role in coordinating rescue and relief measures.

Pecking Mill (Photo: Dawn Stott/Facebook)

Furthermore, Bowlish School in the region suffered extensive flood damage, forcing its closure on Friday.

Berrymans Close in Shepton Mallet was one of the worst affected areas, with floodwaters up to 3 feet deep entering residents homes.

Today, the Environment Agency has released a list of areas where flood warnings are in effect, indicating expected or ongoing flooding.

The clean-up gets underway at The Well Inn (Photo: The Well Inn)

The areas under flood warnings, where flooding is expected or has occurred, include:

• A361 East Lyng to Burrowbridge;
• Curry Moor and Hay Moor;
• Nunney Brook;
• River Axe (Upper) from Winsham to Axminster, including Chard Junction and Weycroft;
• River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge;
• Low-lying properties along the River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge;
• Riverside properties along the River Cale at Wincanton;
• River Isle at Ilminster;
• River Isle from Chard Reservoir to Hambridge, excluding Ilminster;
• River Mells and Whatley Brook;
• Upper River Parrett from South Perrott to Thorney;
• River Sheppey;
• River Yarty from Yarcombe to Axminster;
• Low-lying properties around Muchelney on the River Yeo and River Parrett Moors;
• River Yeo from Sherborne to Yeovil;
• Somerset Frome from Frome to Freshford;
• Somerset Frome from Witham Friary to Frome;
• Riverside properties along the Washford River, from Kingsbridge to Lower Roadwater.

Additionally, flood alerts have been issued for various areas, indicating that flooding is possible. These areas include:

• Bridgwater, Cannington, and Combwich rivers;
• East Somerset Rivers;
• Exmoor Rivers;
• Groundwater flooding in the Cranborne Chase area;
• Lower Tone and Parrett Moors;
• North Somerset area;
• River Axe area;
• River Cale;
• River Chew catchment;
• Rivers Yeo and Parrett, downstream of Yeovil to Steart;
• River Tone catchment;
• River Yeo and River Parrett Moors around Muchelney and Thorney;
• Somerset Frome area;
• South East Somerset Rivers, Upper Reaches;
• South Somerset Rivers, Upper Reaches;
• Upper Frome and tributaries;
• West Somerset Streams.

The storm's impact has extended beyond flooding, with road closures in place across the Somerset Levels and train service cancelled across the West.

Here's the current situation with regional train services:

• The train line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway remains blocked, days after its initial closure. Services are being diverted via Bristol Temple Meads.
• The line between Reading and Taunton is also blocked due to heavy flooding, leading to further diversions for passengers.
• Services between Yeovil Junction and Exeter have been cancelled following a landslip at Crewkerne.