As part of Flood Action Week (14-20 October), the Environment Agency is urging residents in Shepton Mallet to take steps to prepare for potential flooding, following recent flooding incidents in the area. This call to action comes as the council continues to investigate several major flooding events that have hit Shepton Mallet and surrounding areas in the past year.

Shepton Mallet is among several towns under scrutiny as the council investigates the aftermath of Storm Henk, which brought significant flooding to the region in early January 2024. The storm affected over 50 properties across Shepton Mallet, Bruton, Croscombe, Knole, and Nunney, leading to widespread concern among residents. This follows another incident in December 2023, when 14 properties in Martock were severely impacted by flooding.

The council has launched two investigations into these incidents, hoping to identify the causes, assess response measures, and develop strategies to reduce the risk of future flooding. Flooding in Shepton Mallet has been an ongoing concern, with local authorities also dealing with a backlog of Section 19 investigations into previous flood events, including the severe flooding in October 2020.

Anna Meares, the council's flood investigation officer, said: "Flooding is a sensitive topic due to loss of property and livelihood. Recurring flooding leaves residents anxious of repeat events. Reports need to be published so lessons can be learned, mitigations put in place, repeat events avoided, and flood responses improved."

Prepare for future floods

With Shepton Mallet's history of flood events, residents are being encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their homes. Ron Curtis, Environment Agency Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for Wessex, said: 

"As we anticipate more intense rainfall this winter, it's essential you take the necessary precautions to safeguard yourself and your family from flooding as much as possible. By going online, signing up for flood warnings, and learning what to do before, during, and after a flood, you can significantly improve your own readiness."

Here are some actions residents can take:

• Check your flood risk: Use the Environment Agency's free service to assess your long-term flood risk and learn how to manage it.
• Sign up for flood warnings: Receive real-time alerts by phone, text, or email.
• Protect your property: Move important documents to a secure, waterproof location, check how to turn off utilities, and create a flood kit with essentials like torches, bottled water, and first aid supplies.
• Consider long-term resilience: Look into Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures to better protect your home from future flooding.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy added, "This Flood Action Week, we must all be proactive in checking our flood risk and signing up for warnings. Flooding can be devastating, and by taking simple steps, we can reduce its impact on our lives."

Council investigations and backlog

Shepton Mallet is still awaiting final reports from previous flood investigations due to a significant backlog in producing Section 19 reports, which document and analyse flood events. The council has only recently published its final report on the floods that hit the area in October 2020, with reports on flooding in May and September 2023 expected to be released before Christmas. However, the investigations into the December 2023 and January 2024 floods may not be completed until early summer 2025.

While the council continues to work through these investigations, residents are reminded to stay informed and take steps to protect their homes and businesses from future flooding.

For more information on flood risks, flood warnings, and the Flood Re insurance scheme, visit the Environment Agency's website.