The Somerset Levels: Life after the floods

Floodwaters recede but life is 

still on hold for villagers of 

Somerset Levels

As people in Moorland and Fordgate wait for their homes to dry out, many feel like they were sacrificed to save nearby towns

the Guardian,

16 March, 2014

Bryony Sadler was picking her way through the damp, cold, jagged mess that used to be her beloved kitchen, the heart of her family home. "It's difficult to see it like this," she said. "This was our home and look at it now. It's horrendous. We will be back. It will be a special place for the children again. But it's going to take a long time."

The Sadler household is one of scores that suddenly had to pack up and go when the floodwaters swamped the villages of Moorland and Fordgate on the Somerset Levels last month. Since then, Bryony, along with her husband, Gavin, her children, Toby, six, and Elsa, three, and her mother, Julie, have been packed into a small holiday let in a nearby village. Temporary homes have been found for their horse, dogs, rabbits, guinea pig and 70 chickens.

"It's exhausting," said Sadler. "Emotionally, physically, mentally. The children are struggling. They want to be here [home]. We are all struggling. It feels like real life is on hold."

It is now three months since the water began to rise alarmingly here as the UK was hit by the first of the storms that wreaked havoc across swaths of the country. As early as 18 December, Sadler said she and her neighbours were urging the Environment Agency to take action. By the end of January, when the environment secretary, Owen Paterson, arrived in Moorland (without his wellies) to size up the problem, flooded roads were causing delays and disruption to family life.

As early as 18 December many in the Somerset Levels were calling on the Environment Agency to take action.

And then in the first week of February, as the deluge continued, the Sadler clan had to evacuate as the water poured into their house, a handsome former rectory that had never been flooded before. "It was scary for the children," said Sadler. "Unsettling for everyone."

This was the first time since the waters receded that Sadler had been back to her kitchen, dining room and living room to see the devastation caused by tonnes of contaminated water. Floorboards were splintered, tiles smashed, furniture ruined

Teams of workers were chipping ruined plaster from walls; outside, soggy possessions – toys, clothes, books – were piled up on the drive. Sadler managed a smile as she found a Christmas card (with Christmas money) left on a mantelpiece by Elsa.

But the smile vanished again when Sadler considered why Moorland and Fordgate were suddenly flooded. "We were sacrificed to save Bridgwater and Taunton. I'm certain of that."

The Environment Agency strongly denies that areas of the Somerset Levels were allowed to flood to prevent disaster in the two towns. It maintains that it was exceptionally bad weather – the wettest winter in 250 years – that caused the problems. A spokesperson said: "Our funding priorities given to us by government are to protect people first, then property and then land. We apply these priorities to the town and the country."

But most villagers here are deeply sceptical. At Wisteria Farm, Bob Hall was checking on his flood-damaged yard, thick with a foul-smelling sludge, and empty livestock sheds. "I think there's a 'them and us' attitude," he said. "We're out here on our own and I don't think we matter as much to the powers that be in their cosy offices."

Hall, 66, is struggling to cope with life without his beef herd, part of which has been slaughtered and part evacuated to a shed in Taunton. "I'm used to getting up early and doing some work then going back for breakfast. A full English can't hurt you when you've done a couple of hours' work. That routine has gone."

Getting back the bungalow he shares with his wife, Sue, is going to be a long process. "I don't know when we'll be able to move back in. Look at those cracks in the wall – the power of water is frightening." Two ducks waddled past and Hall tried to crack a joke about them. "I'm laughing but I'd be crying otherwise. It's hit Sue hard. She's not eating properly. She's feeling very tight. We lived here for 35 years."

It will be weeks before Hall's fields are free of water and his remaining cattle can graze here again. Other businesses are even more unfortunate. Neil Craddock returned to his wooden flooring factory this week to confront an estimated £1m of damage to stock and machinery. He had been unable to get insurance following floods last year. "We've been numbed by the experience, it's unbelievable," Craddock said.

Flooding over farmland on the Somerset Levels in January. Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA

The water continues to be pumped off the moors, and communities are no longer cut off. But the guidance on Somerset county council's regular community bulletins is a reminder of how far from normal life it is here. It offers information ranging from how to avoid waterborne diseases to what do if you have a rat infestation or come upon dead farm animals.

The disaster has brought people closer together. The Flooding on the Levels Action Group (Flag), has led the community recovery effort and residents say they are grateful to the scores of volunteers who have travelled to the Levels to help.

When the Guardian visited, Philip Maye, a retired soldier in the Royal Engineers, was manoeuvring a caravan on his drive. This is likely to be his temporary home for the foreseeable future while his flooded house is dried out and repaired, because he is at loggerheads with his insurance company.

But he was not alone. Local police constable Allan Gothard was helping push and pull the caravan, as was a friend, Alan Mobb, who had come over from the nearby village of Westonzoyland. "Everyone is helping. There's a great spirit here," said Maye.

As if on cue, a lorry loaded with volunteers arrived to pick up piles of plasterboard and rubble that Maye had stacked up near the road. This team mainly comprised women from across the south-west of England, who were concentrating on helping victims without insurance.

"We're here because the local people need our help," said Becky, who has so far spent a fortnight on the Levels. "We'll keep coming until it's all sorted."

Flooded homes in Moorland in February. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty

Villagers are cautiously optimistic that promises by the government –which has pledged £20m for a 20-year flood action plan on the Levels – will deliver. They are also looking forward to the start of dredging of the rivers Tone and Parrett, due to begin at the end of the month, which they believe will ease future flooding problems.

But for now the focus is on returning to normal life. Michael Price, a pensioner, said he and his wife, Buttons, had only just got their bungalow in Moorlands how they wanted it, after 42 years of living there. "Now it's total devastation," he said, pointing out the cherished heirlooms, including "dear old pop's desk", that were ruined.

Price said he was not sure they would be back home by the end of the year. "We always have open house on Christmas Eve. It's the start of Christmas for our family. My wife puts on a lovely spread. Everyone is saying you'll have to get back in for that. I'm not sure we will