THE Wellington area was mopping up again on Tuesday (December 4) after another deluge of rain brought flooding across the town and surrounding communities on Monday.

Rivers and streams overtopped and already sodden areas saw groundwater rising and causing inundations.

The main A38 road between Wellington and Taunton became almost impassable and villages were a challenge to reach as minor roads were completely under water.

Oake Bradford and Nynehead Primary School closed early on Monday and sent pupils home because of the flooding.

Great Western Railway and CrossCountry, already suffering from industrial action by staff, had to suspend trains because the rail lines were flooded and organise buses to take passengers from Taunton to make connections in Exeter and Bristol.

Rail passengers were warned even then they might not be able to complete their journeys because road conditions meant the buses also might not be able to get through.

A Met Office Yellow warning for heavy rain was in place throughout Monday and Wellington Weekly weatherman Simon Ratsey reported 1.85 inches (47 mm) of rain fell between the time he had gone to bed on Sunday night and lunchtime.

Mr Ratsey said: “That is 40 per cent of a month’s worth for December.

“I had to take my wife for an appointment at Musgrove Park Hospital. It took an hour to get back to Wellington from the park and ride.

“The flooding was as bad as any I have seen. I was under the impression that they had sorted the problem at Willowbrook.”

Willowbrook Garden Centre and the A38 outside it was inundated as water flowing off the Blackdown Hills was too much for the Haywards Water stream to take.

Mr Ratsey said this autumn had been Wellington’s second-warmest on record and the fourth-wettest since 1960.

He said total rainfall last month was 5.6 inches (142 mm), which was 125 per cent of the average for November. 

Somerset Council said its highways teams responded to more than 40 incidents on Monday, while more than 20 schools in other parts of the county had to close and several public libraries closed early.

The B3227 road in Norton Fitzwarren was among many which were blocked by the flooding, and Sawyers Hill, in West Buckland, was also blocked.

A council spokeswoman said jetting contractors were redeployed from planned works to respond to flood-related incidents and partner agencies were helping to monitor the situation as further rain was forecast for later in the week, along with strong winds.

She said people should monitor Environment Agency flood warnings and alerts and take precautionary steps where needed. 

Any recycling or refuse collections which were missed because of road closures would be returned for as soon as possible.

However, opening hours for the recycling site in Poole, near Wellington, was unaffected by the weather.

Information and advice on preparing for flooding and coping with it can be found here.