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Clean-up under way after floods Clean-up under way after floods
(20 minutes later)
A massive clean-up operation is under way in Somerset after torrential rain caused flash flooding which hit the south of the county.A massive clean-up operation is under way in Somerset after torrential rain caused flash flooding which hit the south of the county.
Fire-fighters had to evacuate homes following the downpour.Fire-fighters had to evacuate homes following the downpour.
Crewkerne was particularly badly hit as the river running through the town overflowed, knocked down a stone wall and submerged several parked cars.Crewkerne was particularly badly hit as the river running through the town overflowed, knocked down a stone wall and submerged several parked cars.
BBC weather forecaster Richard Angwin said: "The weather should be fairly quiet tonight."BBC weather forecaster Richard Angwin said: "The weather should be fairly quiet tonight."
Somerset missed most of Friday's showers but Mr Angwin warned: "There could be a few showers developing later tomorrow but they will be nowhere near as potent as those which caused the flash flooding on Thursday."Somerset missed most of Friday's showers but Mr Angwin warned: "There could be a few showers developing later tomorrow but they will be nowhere near as potent as those which caused the flash flooding on Thursday."
Devon and Somerset Fire Service received calls every three seconds during the height of the floods.Devon and Somerset Fire Service received calls every three seconds during the height of the floods.
"I work at the command centre and at about seven o'clock we got one call about every three or four seconds. This has happened due to years of neglect by the local authorities Tim Hoddinott
"It really was that manic for a good half hour, 45 minutes," said Andy Newland of the service. Andy Newland, from the fire service, said: "I work at the command centre and at about seven o'clock we got one call about every three or four seconds.
"One of those sad freak accidents," said resident Marcus Becket after his Jaguar car was covered with debris deposited by the flood waters. "It really was that manic for a good half hour, 45 minutes.
Resident Marcus Becket said it was "one of those sad freak accidents" after his Jaguar car was covered with debris deposited by the flood waters.
"I think it's probably much more concerning for those in town who've got businesses, than my poor old car.""I think it's probably much more concerning for those in town who've got businesses, than my poor old car."
Somerset county councillor for Crewkerne, John Dyke, visited South Street to help the community.
'Fed up'
He said: "I've lived here all my life and the area has flooded twice so it's a very rare event."
Ilminster and Castle Cary were also badly affected.
In Shepton Mallet residents were frustrated their homes were flooded for the second time in 18 months.
More showers are expected across Somerset on Saturday Residents of Leg Square, which bore the brunt of the deluge, said the local authorities failed to act after their homes were flooded in October 2006.
Tim Hoddinott returned home with his wife and two children last night to find 18 inches of water in his kitchen.
Water had also filtered throughout his home, marking the floors and ruining furniture.
He said his family now faced three months out of the house - just as they did in October 2006.
"We're fed up, this is the second time in 18 months. This has happened due to years of neglect by the local authorities. They've failed to do the job properly," he said.
A Somerset County Council spokesman said: "Work has been ordered by Somerset County Council on a gully in Leg Square to dig it deeper and improve drainage.
"Since the previous flood 18 months ago the Environment Agency has been carrying out an investigation.
"Somerset County Council is waiting for the report from this which will provide the Highways Department with recommendations of work to improve the road's ability to cope with excess water."