The aftermath of the torrential storms that caused havoc across our region became clear today. One person died and many others were forced to evacuate their homes after flooding and landslides ripped through neighbourhoods.
The man who died was trapped after his 4x4 was swept away by a flash flood in the village of Chew Stoke, south of Bristol. It's thought he was visiting a relative who lived locally.
Our Somerset Correspondent David Woodland reports:
Duncan Massey from Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue says there have been three or four similar incidents in the last few weeks:
Shots of the car trapped under a bridge in Chew Stoke filmed from a helicopter today. The driver died after being caught in the high water last night.
A man has died after becoming trapped in his car in flood water in Somerset.
Emergency services received a call at about 8.50pm last night to say a car was wedged under a bridge near to a ford at Rectory Fields, in Chew Stoke. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said they are still trying to identify the man and his next of kin.
– Avon and Somerset Police spokesmanThe vehicle is still stuck there at the moment, and so we are preserving the scene until the water has died down and it is safe to retrieve the car.When daylight comes, they will look to remove it.
The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for the River Chew from Chew Stoke to Keynsham near Bristol.
20 to 30mm of rain was forecast to fall between 6 pm tonight and 6 am tomorrow (Saturday), with up to 40mm possible in isolated areas.
Levels on the River Chew at Compton Dando are stable but are expected to rise reaching flood warning status at about 3am on Saturday morning.
People whose homes are at risk should take appropriate action.
The river running through Chew Stoke near Bristol has burst its banks. This photo was taken on Sunday afternoon but residents say the water was even higher earlier in the day. The road was closed although landrovers and four-by-fours were getting through.