Flooded Muchelney villagers 'may be stranded for weeks' due to severe Somerset flooding

Villagers near Langport could be cut off by floodwater for weeks, a resident has predicted.

Most residents of Muchelney declined to be evacuated from their homes on Monday as floods surrounded the village.

Lizzie and John Leach of Muchelney Pottery and neighbours Richard England, Sara and Nick Studley and Tony Grey
Andrew Wakely canoes down the road between Thorney and Muchelney. Flooding left Muchelney cut off to road traffic on Monday
The River Parrett burst its banks flooding the Westover Trading Estate at Langport on Monday. Residents in the town were warned of flooding by the Environment Agency for the first time in 25 years
The road from Thorney to Muchelney
Andrew Wakely on the road from Thorney to Muchelney
Cabinet maker Ken Seal wades through the water to get to his workshop

Fire crews called on around 40 homes, some of which were without electricity and water supplies.

On Tuesday, Muchelney farmer Graham Walker said: “We can’t leave. We’ve got 50 sheep and cattle to look after. I think it will take at least a week before I can take the tractor out and it may be three weeks before cars can go through. We just have to put up with it.”

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013

His wife Helen said: “The water is as high as I have ever seen. The community has pulled together and there’s no one who will be left out.”

One woman who had a medical condition agreed to leave her home when emergency services advised people to leave.

Another resident, Mary Mullineux, said around 10 homes and John Leach Pottery, which have never been flooded before, had been affected.

She said: “We are totally cut off but we have a real Dunkirk spirit here. Most people would prefer to stay. People are managing incredibly well. We’ve done it before but the flooding is exceptional this year.”

Police were advising people not to travel to the village on Tuesday.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Constabulary said: “Flooding has effectively cut off the village and all roads leading into Muchelney are impassable.

“Residents have advised us that they wish to stay in their homes and do not want to be evacuated.

“Emergency services remain in the area. They are monitoring the situation and working together to support the local community.”

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said on Tuesday the road between Muchelney and Thorney was under up to 6ft of water.

He said: “We are hoping the water might start receding soon but there is a risk that when water drains from the Levels the situation in Muchelney will become worse.”

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said the village was still cut off yesterday and travelling in the area is not advised.

Many residents in the nearby hamlet of Thorney had no choice but to evacuate after floodwater crept into their homes on Sunday night.

Jenny and Mike Curtis fled rising water with their young daughters.

Mrs Curtis said: “I went downstairs on Monday morning and there was about two inches of water in my home.

“I put the children in their wellies and went to my mum and dad’s house nearby. I have never seen floodwater in my house before but later there was about seven inches.

“I’m absolutely gutted because I don’t think we will get back in our home by Christmas, but at least we had somewhere to go.”

Other Thorney residents were evacuated to holiday let accommodation at Thorney Farm Cottages.

SOMERSET NOVEMBER FLOODS - VIDEO AND PICTURES

Wednesday, November 28

Photos: A second week of November flood damage in Somerset

Sunday, November 25

Video: Tidal wave of flood water wipes out A361 road in Somerset

Photos: Severe flooding on the A361 and Somerset Levels

Photos: Mid Somerset floods on the levels

Video: Flooding in Bathpool after River Tone bursts its banks

Photos: Flooding as River Tone bursts its banks at Bathpool

Photos: An angry River Frome floods again