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Clean-up in wake of flash floods Clean-up in wake of flash floods
(40 minutes later)
A clean-up operation is under way after torrential rain caused flash flooding across south-west England.A clean-up operation is under way after torrential rain caused flash flooding across south-west England.
Firefighters evacuated homes in the worst-hit areas of south Somerset after a sudden and heavy burst of rain on Thursday evening.Firefighters evacuated homes in the worst-hit areas of south Somerset after a sudden and heavy burst of rain on Thursday evening.
Devon and Somerset fire service said Crewkerne, Ilminster, Shepton Mallet and Wells were most severely affected.Devon and Somerset fire service said Crewkerne, Ilminster, Shepton Mallet and Wells were most severely affected.
Four people were rescued when their car became stuck in a flood at Langford Bridge near Honiton, in Devon.Four people were rescued when their car became stuck in a flood at Langford Bridge near Honiton, in Devon.
By late Thursday night, the flooding was beginning to subside almost as soon as it had begun, but hundreds of homes had been flood-damaged.By late Thursday night, the flooding was beginning to subside almost as soon as it had begun, but hundreds of homes had been flood-damaged.
At the storm's peak, the fire brigade was taking calls "every few seconds" from worried residents, with more than 350 emergency calls received in two-and-a-half hours.At the storm's peak, the fire brigade was taking calls "every few seconds" from worried residents, with more than 350 emergency calls received in two-and-a-half hours.
Spokesman Andy Newland said the flood happened in different circumstances to the deluges that wreaked havoc across parts of north, south and central England last summer.Spokesman Andy Newland said the flood happened in different circumstances to the deluges that wreaked havoc across parts of north, south and central England last summer.
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Scenes of serious flooding after heavy rainfall in SomersetScenes of serious flooding after heavy rainfall in Somerset
He said: "It was a typical flash flood, gone almost as quickly as it came. It has quietened down considerably overnight.He said: "It was a typical flash flood, gone almost as quickly as it came. It has quietened down considerably overnight.
"It's very different from what happened in Gloucestershire because that built up for many days."It's very different from what happened in Gloucestershire because that built up for many days.
"This was literally that a tremendous amount of water came down with very little warning and the surface water drainage couldn't handle it.""This was literally that a tremendous amount of water came down with very little warning and the surface water drainage couldn't handle it."
Many people attending the annual Bath and West show in Shepton Mallet were stranded as they tried to leave the flood-hit showground.Many people attending the annual Bath and West show in Shepton Mallet were stranded as they tried to leave the flood-hit showground.
The fire service received more than 350 calls from across Somerset A BBC Weather video animation shows the weather which caused flash floods
Dan Mountain, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "We had about seven cars stuck in water leaving the showground.Dan Mountain, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "We had about seven cars stuck in water leaving the showground.
"We considered bringing in the RAF helicopter but it was not required and it was stood down.""We considered bringing in the RAF helicopter but it was not required and it was stood down."
This weekend's Sunrise Celebration music festival at Bearley Farm near Yeovil has been officially called off due to the bad weather conditions.This weekend's Sunrise Celebration music festival at Bearley Farm near Yeovil has been officially called off due to the bad weather conditions.
Organisers said the decision was made for safety reasons after heavy rain waterlogged the ground.Organisers said the decision was made for safety reasons after heavy rain waterlogged the ground.
An operation was taking place to help stall-holders and revellers who had already arrived to leave the site.An operation was taking place to help stall-holders and revellers who had already arrived to leave the site.
Crewkerne Chamber of Commerce has offered help to any trader affected by the floods.Crewkerne Chamber of Commerce has offered help to any trader affected by the floods.
"While our hearts go out to any business affected, we are glad there has been no reported personal injury," said chairman Marcus Barrett."While our hearts go out to any business affected, we are glad there has been no reported personal injury," said chairman Marcus Barrett.


Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the flooding? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the flooding? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
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