Storm Chandra shuts schools and causes flooding in the West

Heavy rain from Storm Chandra overnight has caused widespread travel disruption in the West with multiple flood warnings in place.

Rail services in Somerset are suspended between Taunton and Castle Cary due to flooding on the tracks, with some services being diverted, and there are also some cancellations in Wiltshire.

Flooding has also shut two lanes on the M5 southbound between junction 25 at Taunton and junction 26 at Wellington, while drivers are reporting a number of roads to access the M5 and A38 are also closed.

The M48 Severn Crossing is also shut with drivers being advised to use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

There are currently 17 flood warnings in place for Somerset, and eight in Wiltshire.

In Taunton, Severn Drive on the edge of Blackbrook is flooded with water already coming into homes.

Householders posited images of ankle-deep dirty floodwater on their ground floors, with cars stranded in the street outside.

One resident warned the water is still rising.

Five Somerset schools – Hambridge, Cheddon Fitzpaine Church School, Danesfield Church of England School in Taunton, and Curry Rivel Church of England School – are closed.

In Wiltshire, railway lines are closed between Salisbury in Wiltshire and both Southampton Central and Romsey in Hampshire, according to National Rail Enquiries.

For people who want to check about flooding in their area, there is more information available on the Environment Agency website.