These were the scenes on the flood-hit Somerset Levels on Saturday (February 8th) when crewmembers from Burnham-On-Sea’s BARB Search & Rescue were tasked with helping the ongoing evacuation.

Volunteers from the Burnham charity worked alongside other organisations to help families in the village of Moorland whose homes have been inundated by the floods.

These photos, taken from the BARB rescue boat, show the sickening scale of the flooding, which has left homes under water as well as vehicles throughout the village.

“BARB is always available to help and our thoughts go out to all those affected by this terrible flooding,” said BARB Operations Manager Mike Lowe.

One of those who was helped, Beverly Farthing, said: “We are very grateful to BARB’s help today in getting us safely out to a relative’s home here in Moorland. My partner’s cousin has stayed home in the village despite the flooding and we were able to deliver some essential food supplies.”

The flooding in the area appeared to be getting worse on Saturday, with the water drain level at Northmoor pumping station rising by about 7mm per hour. Train lines between Taunton and Bristol have also been closed due to the track being underwater nearby.

A villager is guided to safety in Moorland by BARB crewmembers

Crewmembers carry an evacuated couple’s possessions from the boat

The suitcases were loaded by BARB’s crew onto a trailer to be driven away

The flood waters have inundated many homes in Moorland

A BARB crewmember waist-deep in water talks to one of the villagers on the boat

One resident loaded his car onto a trailer and had it towed to safety by tractor

Extra sandbags arriving in the village by tractor on Saturday

Even this local carnival float based in the village is surrounded by flood water

RELATED LINKS:
BARB Search & Rescue

 
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