Flood risk remains elevated across parts of Somerset and Dorset after Storm Chandra, with the Environment Agency asking residents to stay alert to fast‑changing conditions. A Met Office yellow warning for rain is in place on Thursday 29 January, from midday into Friday morning, for the south west. (gov.uk)

Somerset has declared a major incident as councils, the Environment Agency and emergency services coordinate recovery and further protection. Agency teams have switched on pumping stations and are bringing ultra high‑volume pumps into Northmoor and Saltmoor to move water as river levels allow. (gov.uk)

In Dorset, a severe flood warning has covered the Lower Stour at Iford Bridge Home Park, where authorities led an evacuation of a caravan site and car park as a precaution. The Agency says 63 properties have been flooded so far, while nearly 10,900 have been protected by its actions. (gov.uk)

With saturated ground and some rivers, moors and levels rising slowly, officials expect further impacts into early Friday. The Environment Agency is clear about road safety: “just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.” Please avoid driving through floodwater, even where it looks shallow. (gov.uk)

If you live on the Somerset Levels, along the Stour corridor or in known surface‑water hotspots, use today to prepare. Sign up for flood warnings by text, phone or email, keep devices charged, move valuables and medicines upstairs, and check on neighbours who might need help. Floodline is available on 0345 988 1188, and Agency staff are at Northmoor/Moorland village hall during the day to answer questions. (gov.uk)

Through Thursday, forecasters expect 10–15mm of rain quite widely and up to 20–25mm in places near the south coast, falling onto saturated catchments. The rain band will be short‑lived in many locations but intense at times, so brief, sharp rises on small rivers and rapid surface‑water build‑up are possible. (metoffice.gov.uk)

Wider context matters. Rapid attribution work published by the Met Office and World Weather Attribution found that human‑driven warming made the UK and Ireland’s 2023–24 storm downpours around 20% wetter and total winter rainfall about 15% higher. That does not explain a single event, but it lifts the baseline risk communities face. (metoffice.gov.uk)

The Climate Change Committee’s 2025 assessment, drawing on the Environment Agency’s updated NaFRA2 mapping, indicates around 6.3 million properties in England are in areas at risk from rivers, the sea or surface water-about 750,000 of them from multiple sources. Knowing your exposure and your trigger points for action is now essential. (theccc.org.uk)

There are proven ways to cut damage. The government‑backed Build Back Better scheme lets eligible householders invest up to £10,000 in property flood‑resilience measures during repairs-think flood doors, self‑closing air bricks, raised electrics and water‑resistant floors-while the FloodReady action plan aims to make these upgrades standard. Ask your insurer and builder about accredited products and installers. (gov.uk)

Ministers say £10.5bn is being invested to protect a further 900,000 properties by 2036, but scrutiny remains on delivery. The National Audit Office reports the Environment Agency has reduced its forecast for properties better protected by 2027-from 336,000 to 200,000-largely due to inflation and project changes. Maintenance and nature‑based measures, alongside major defences and better local drainage, will determine how quickly places like Somerset and Dorset bounce back. (gov.uk)