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Somerset flood support: Military planners discussing plan Somerset flood support: Military planners discussing plan
(about 1 hour 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. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said planning what action could be taken to support people hit by floods in Somerset is ongoing.
A spokesman said discussions between planners and council officials, which began at first light, were ongoing. Discussions between planners and council officials has been going on since first light, a spokesman said.
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.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.Once the routes have been inspected, suggestions will be made on what equipment is needed, the spokesman added.
Another meeting of Cobra, the government's emergency response committee, will be convened later on Thursday chaired by environment secretary Owen Paterson. Another meeting of Cobra, the government's emergency response committee, will be convened at 17:45 GMT chaired by environment secretary Owen Paterson.
The MoD said the personnel involved in helping with the flooding are a mix from all three services, with the majority being Taunton-based 40 Commando.
"As well as vehicle crews, up to 100 military personnel are standing by for duties likely to include sandbag filling and loading," the MoD said on its Twitter feed.
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.
Maj Al Robinson from the Royal Engineers, who is assessing how the military can help, said it was too early to say exactly what support would be offered.Maj Al Robinson from the Royal Engineers, who is assessing how the military can help, said it was too early to say exactly what support would be offered.
He said: "At the moment we're concentrating on understanding the situation and very much supporting the planning which the local council are doing.He said: "At the moment we're concentrating on understanding the situation and very much supporting the planning which the local council are doing.
"It's very early days. [We have] literally just been on the ground a couple of hours, and we've yet to report back to see what we actually might be asked to do.""It's very early days. [We have] literally just been on the ground a couple of hours, and we've yet to report back to see what we actually might be asked to do."
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."
MP Maria Eagle, Labour's shadow environment secretary, has criticised the government's response to the flooding.MP Maria Eagle, Labour's shadow environment secretary, has criticised the government's response to the flooding.
She said environment secretary Owen Paterson had "dithered" and "failed to take flooding seriously".She said environment secretary Owen Paterson had "dithered" and "failed to take flooding seriously".
"Almost a week after Somerset County Council declared the flooding a major incident, the government has finally decided to respond," she said."Almost a week after Somerset County Council declared the flooding a major incident, the government has finally decided to respond," she said.
"Just days after the environment secretary announced that he wanted to see a concrete plan presented to him in six weeks, David Cameron has had enough of Owen Paterson's dithering and called in the army."Just days after the environment secretary announced that he wanted to see a concrete plan presented to him in six weeks, David Cameron has had enough of Owen Paterson's dithering and called in the army.
"This comes after it was revealed that Owen Paterson chose to ignore a report which clearly warned a year ago that the lack of river maintenance in regions such as Somerset would pose a serious risk of flooding."This comes after it was revealed that Owen Paterson chose to ignore a report which clearly warned a year ago that the lack of river maintenance in regions such as Somerset would pose a serious risk of flooding.
"It is further evidence of the environment secretary's failure to take flooding seriously.""It is further evidence of the environment secretary's failure to take flooding seriously."
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