Wells flood workshop held as city mops up

By Laura Linham 26th Jun 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 52 minutes ago

Wells residents went from preparing for extreme heat to dealing with flash flooding when a sudden thunderstorm hit the city on Monday, 22 June.

Weather warnings in the days before had focused on high temperatures, with heat-health alerts in place across the region. Older residents were being advised to take extra care, while people were encouraged to drink water, keep homes cool and avoid the worst of the heat.

Schools had announced closures and some workplaces had returned to working-from-home arrangements because of the hot weather. But by 5 pm on Monday, the concern in Wells had shifted sharply from heatwave conditions to surface water and flooded roads.

Residents reported that the skies darkened rapidly before strong gusts and heavy rain swept through the city. One particularly intense burst is understood to have brought up to 25.4mm, or one inch, of rain in just 15 minutes.

Images of flooded roads were soon being shared on Facebook as water built up across parts of Wells. In the city centre, several shops suffered water ingress, with carpets and furnishings damaged and some businesses forced to close, including Tesco.

By coincidence, Wells City Council and Sustainable Wells had already arranged a "Be Prepared" workshop at Wells Town Hall for the same evening. The session, led by Somerset Rivers Authority, was intended to help residents think about emergency planning before incidents happen.

Unsurprisingly, attendance was low, with many people at home dealing with the immediate aftermath of the storm. But organisers said the message behind the event remained important, particularly after the sudden change in conditions.

The workshop focused on practical steps households and businesses can take to reduce the impact of flooding and other emergencies. These include thinking ahead, knowing what equipment may help protect a property, and having a simple household plan in place.

Emergency planning advice often encourages residents to consider what they would do if power, water, road access or communication were disrupted. It can also include keeping key documents safe, checking on vulnerable neighbours and knowing where to find official updates.

Useful information is available through Somerset Prepared, which helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. Somerset Council also publishes information on drains and gullies, while Flood Mary provides guidance on flood protection.

The flash flooding came during a week of unsettled and extreme weather, with Wells experiencing both heat warnings and storm conditions in quick succession. For many residents and businesses, Monday's downpour was a reminder that emergency planning is not just for somewhere else.