STORM Chandra battered Wellington and the surrounding areas with a deluge of rain and wind that have caused widespread disruption across Somerset.

In response, Somerset Council declared a major incident to allow emergency services and local authorities to work together to support affected communities.

Bill Revans, leader of the council, said: “Storm Chandra brought more than 50mm of rain to parts of Somerset on top of already saturated land, and this has caused widespread disruption. We know many communities have been impacted and our thoughts go to all those experiencing flooding.”

Flooding affected roads, homes, and local businesses.

Cars were stranded on the A38, while water levels in the River Tone reached record highs.

On Tuesday (January 27), a woman had to be rescued after her car became trapped in fast-flowing flood water on Nynehead Road in Wellington.

According to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, one of their Technical Rescue Teams used a boat to rescue her and bring her to safety.

Surrounding areas, including Uffculme and Bradford on Tone, were also inundated, and motorists were forced to abandon vehicles on the A38.

Willowbrook Nursery and Garden Centre was surrounded by floodwater.

Weather data highlights the scale of the storm.

Simon Ratsey, Wellington Weekly News’ weather correspondent and climate researcher, said: “In what is already the wettest January since 1984 in the Wellington area, the seven-day spell starting on January 20 was the wettest week ever, with 158mm (over 6 inches) of rain. It culminated with an overnight fall of 41mm (1.6 inches), which was the heaviest January rainfall event on record in this area.”

The storm has also drawn political attention.

The Liberal Democrats have called on the Prime Minister to visit affected areas.

MP Rachel Gilmour said: “This is the third storm to batter the South West in a matter of weeks. We are in desperate need of support.”