PEOPLE can find out more about measures to combat flooding in Somerset – and give their thoughts on the problem – at a series of events.

As the county continues to recover from devastating flooding in recent months, three drop-in events are planned where visitors can meet experts from organisations including Somerset Council, the Environment Agency (EA), Wessex Water and the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA).

All events will be running from 4pm to 7pm and there’s no need to book ahead.

The flood drop-in events in Somerset will take place at:

Chard: Wednesday, February 26, The Guildhall, TA20 1PP
Ilminster: Wednesday, March 5, The Shrubbery, TA19 9AR
South Petherton: Tuesday, March 11, The David Hall, TA13 5AA

Flood-affected residents will be able to get advice and support as well as share any information they may have that can help inform flood investigations, Somerset Council’s lead member for public health, climate change and environment, Cllr Graham Oakes, said.

“We understand that our communities are still feeling the effects of the recent flooding,” he added. “Since the major incident, teams from the council have been supporting families to return to normality.

“We know families have been affected in many different ways and we’ve set up these events to give everyone the opportunity to find out about the support available.”

An EA spokesperson added: “Nearly 17,000 people and 9,000 properties were warned about flood risk by the Environment Agency during Storms Éowyn and Herminia. In Somerset alone, 30 flood warnings were issued.

“We are working with partners to host these local drop in events to support communities affected by recent flooding.

“We are now seeing the impacts of a changing climate on rainfall patterns and groundwater and river behaviour.

“These impacts are likely to become more acute over time, bringing the risk of more frequent and severe flooding.

“We encourage everyone to check their flood risk, sign up for flood warnings and look at the advice on preparing for flooding.”

Homes in parts of Chard, Ilminster, Somerton and South Petherton were among those affected following Storm Eowyn in January, while increased rainfall over the following weeks also brought widespread flooding.