EMERGENCY services have been dealing with incidents across Somerset overnight – including evacuating a residential park – as heavy rains and high winds continue to batter the county.

The Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews have been “extremely busy with flooding incidents in the Somerset area throughout the night”.

Incidents included flooded properties and vehicles stuck in floods, with the main affected areas including Ilminster, Chard, Martock, Yeovil and Somerton.

“Several crews have been utilised in assisting people with their properties and vehicles,” a spokesperson said.

A statement on behalf of Somerset Council, Avon & Somerset Police, and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service added: “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 multi-agency decision was made to carry out precautionary evacuations for residents living in properties in the worst affected areas, as well as two nearby caravan sites thought to be at risk.

“Rest centres were set up in Chard and Ilminster, and all the relevant agencies will continue to work to keep residents safe.”

In Somerton, 61 people and some pets were told to leave a residential park and taken to the rest centre at Edgar Hall. A small number of other residents were picked up by family members.

“Crews used water rafts and boats, and also checked gas cylinders and other items to ensure the properties were left in a safe condition,” the spokesperson added.