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| Somerset flood support: Military planners discussing plan | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said planning what action could be taken to support people hit by floods in Somerset could take all morning. | |
| A spokesman said discussions between planners and council officials, which began at first light, were ongoing. | |
| 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. |
| The MoD said routes that could potentially be used by vehicles were being "reconnoitred" and tested. | |
| Once the routes have been inspected, suggestions will be made on what equipment is needed, the spokesman added. | |
| The Somerset Levels have been badly hit by flooding in recent weeks. | The Somerset Levels have been badly hit by flooding in recent weeks. |
| 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." |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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