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Somerset flood support: Military planners and officials meet Somerset flood support: Military planners and officials meet
(35 minutes later)
Military planners have met council officials in Somerset to see what support is needed to help the flood-hit county.Military planners have met council officials in Somerset to see what support is needed to help the flood-hit county.
On Wednesday Owen Paterson announced amphibious vehicles could be deployed to help flood victims within 24 hours.On Wednesday Owen Paterson announced amphibious vehicles could be deployed to help flood victims within 24 hours.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the meeting with Somerset County Council would take place "at first light".A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the meeting with Somerset County Council would take place "at first light".
The Somerset Levels have been badly hit by flooding in recent weeks.The Somerset Levels have been badly hit by flooding in recent weeks.
"The military officers will help plan what support is needed and where they need it. We will then work to make that happen," an MoD spokesman said."The military officers will help plan what support is needed and where they need it. We will then work to make that happen," an MoD spokesman said.
Villages such as Muchelney have been cut off for almost a month and about 11,500 hectares (28,420 acres) of the Levels are flooded by about 65 million cubic metres of water.Villages such as Muchelney have been cut off for almost a month and about 11,500 hectares (28,420 acres) of the Levels are flooded by about 65 million cubic metres of water.
More heavy rain is expected over the next few days.More heavy rain is expected over the next few days.
Councillor David Hall, deputy leader of Somerset County Council, said: "We've been promised that we'll have access to whatever we need in terms of personnel and military vehicles at very short notice.Councillor David Hall, deputy leader of Somerset County Council, said: "We've been promised that we'll have access to whatever we need in terms of personnel and military vehicles at very short notice.
"What it potentially means is that we will have military personnel to supplement what we are doing already to help people."What it potentially means is that we will have military personnel to supplement what we are doing already to help people.
"The second biggie - we are expecting more rain, high winds, and potentially some tidal surge problems this weekend so it's very reassuring we are going to have extra support on hand if needed.""The second biggie - we are expecting more rain, high winds, and potentially some tidal surge problems this weekend so it's very reassuring we are going to have extra support on hand if needed."
He said the primary aim was to keep people safe.He said the primary aim was to keep people safe.
"There are a lot of supplementary things, like getting fuel and supplies to people who haven't had access to them," he added."There are a lot of supplementary things, like getting fuel and supplies to people who haven't had access to them," he added.
"Making sure if people need to come and go, or there are medical emergencies, there is back up for them which will be very helpful.""Making sure if people need to come and go, or there are medical emergencies, there is back up for them which will be very helpful."
David Heath, the Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, said it was "very welcome news that the military are going to lend a hand".David Heath, the Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, said it was "very welcome news that the military are going to lend a hand".
"It is simply getting people in and out and goods - if they can give us a few extra pairs of hands to help the people who have been working so hard down on the Levels for the past few weeks."It is simply getting people in and out and goods - if they can give us a few extra pairs of hands to help the people who have been working so hard down on the Levels for the past few weeks.
"We are expecting another high spring tide at the weekend along with a lot more rain."We are expecting another high spring tide at the weekend along with a lot more rain.
"Where there is specialist equipment I would certainly like to see the engineers see what they can do to improve access.""Where there is specialist equipment I would certainly like to see the engineers see what they can do to improve access."
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