Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service were kept busy last weekend responding to incidents related to the gale force winds and heavy rain.

Roads across both counties were closed due to flooding while high winds downed trees and telegraph poles, often triggering electrical problems.

On Friday 13 November, firefighters across Devon and Somerset attended several incidents where roofs and canopies had been blown off or left in a precarious state. In Exeter crews attended three separate incidents of roofs being blown from properties and rainwater penetrating the property below.

Crews from Bridgwater attended a report of a section of flat roof and chimney which had blown off from a house and fallen into the street bringing down electricity and telecom cables on the way. Fire crews made the roof and chimney safe and then awaited the arrival of Western Power to make the cable safe.

In Yeovil fire fighters were called to reports of a car stuck in flood water with two occupants trapped within the vehicle, Upon arrival crews quickly removed occupants who were suffering from extreme cold, they were given first aid, before being left in the hands of ambulance crews.

Group Commander for Yeovil, Paul Cregan said: "The community safety messages that Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service were able to provide are a result of effective weather forecasting from the Met office and Environment Agency enabled us to give clear advice to communities.(press release dated 12/11). Those safety messages were listened to and people stayed at home. The evidence from this was clear as we did not experience a high level of weather related incidents.
 
“Some incidents did occur that were avoidable such as motorists attempting to drive through floodwater rather than seeking an alternative route. The consequences of this not only cause inconvenience to the vehicle owners due to damage caused by floodwater but could have led to more serious results such as hypothermia, shock or even worse, drowning.
 
“Fortunately, although we are very proactive in providing clear, consistent and timely community safety messages to protect the communities of Devon & Somerset, we also have a highly skilled and professional emergency response from fire stations around both counties. In one specific case, crews from Yeovil Fire Station rescued two stranded motorists from rising floodwaters. If those crews had not responded in such a rapid way and taking a risk to deploy to such a dangerous environment, the outcome could have been very different.”
 
The latest weather report from the Met office says that over the next few days it will be mostly dry, very mild, with southwestly gales. There is a moderate risk of severe weather affecting parts of western and south western Britain on Saturday. During this period wet and windy conditions with widespread rain, heavy at times will spread from the south, the rain will be falling on already saturated ground

During this very wet weather please remain vigilant. Listen to local weather reports and updates in the media and to find out if you are at risk from river flooding go to the Environmental Agency’s website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood or call Floodline on 0845 9 88 11 88.

Driving During Heavy Rainfall and Potential Flooding
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service offer some useful advice which could help prevent accidents during heavy rainfall and flooding
• Motorists should not attempt to drive through flooded roads or fords. The water is often deeper than it looks and may be moving quite fast. Your vehicle may be swept away or become stranded
• Do not attempt to walk through flooded areas. Even shallow water moving fast can sweep you off your feet and there may be hidden dangers such as open drains, damaged road surfaces, submerged debris or deep channels; these can cause serious injuries or even death.
• Children should not be allowed to play in flood water, which can become contaminated with sewerage and chemicals
• Do not smoke, eat or drink whilst in contact with floodwater and always wash your hands afterwards.
• Following a flood in your home, make sure all electrical circuits are fully dried out and checked by an electrical engineer before switching back on can cause serious injuries or even death.

Ends

www.metoffice.gov.uk for weather updates
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood or call Floodline on 0845 9 88 11
For further information contact: Suzie Izzard 01392 872296