A major incident has been declared in Somerset because of the risk of flooding.

"Enhanced pumping" began on Tuesday at Northmoor to clear water off the Somerset Levels.

A flood warning has been issued for Saltmoor and Northmoor and agency officers were offering advice in the village of Moorland.

But in a joint statement, issued by the Environment Agency, Somerset County Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset West and Taunton Council, Mendip District Council and South Somerset District Council. said the major incident was a "precautionary move" to help ensure "partners become more co-ordinated".

Councillor Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset County Council, said: "The decision to declare a major incident at this stage means we are well placed to respond. We will be supporting Environment Agency colleagues on the ground and taking every step to ensure our communities receive the help they need." 

 Additional pumps are pumping at Saltmoor and Northmoor, to help reduce levels as much as possible when the River Parrett has capacity. Extra pumps are also ready to use at Currymoor once conditions allow Once the water level at Currymoor has reduced, Athelney spillway will stop flowing into Northmoor as well as the A361 between East Lyng and Burrowbridge. A flood warning for that area remains in place and the road is closed.   

 Ian Withers of the Environment Agency said: "The sight of water on the Somerset Levels and Moors is obviously a concern to those who have suffered from flooding before. Our staff continue to work to the best of their abilities to protect people and properties, install pumps and engage with communities. 

 "The situation is expected to improve when enhanced pumping begins and we continue to run the Sowy flood relief channel, it is prudent to plan for the worst and going into major incident mode is appropriate, so we coordinate with partners and everyone is ready to respond if needed." 

To allow pumping to continue more frequently and for longer at impacted pump stations, water is being diverted to the Sowy flood relief channel and King's Sedgemoor Drain to Dunball, where pumps are being installed to allow pumping to continue in the event of high tide.  

 The Environment Agency are also urging residents to check their flood risk by signing up for flood warnings and create a flood plan so they know what action to take and are prepared to act. You can find links at https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk.  

 The operation underway in full:

The Somerset Levels & Moors are designed to store flood water when the rivers flowing through them over top. The recent heavy rain has caused spillways (specifically designed low points in the riverbanks) on the Rivers Tone and Parrett to flow and water is stored on the moors.    

Three additional pumps become operational yesterday, and the remaining seven pumps operational over the next 24-48hrs. At Park Brook, Elson's Clyce we installed two pumps yesterday evening. This will further help remove water from Northmoor. 

Five temporary pumps have been operational at Saltmoor since Sunday. After an emergency road closure, facilitated by Somerset County Council a further five temporary pumps will be installed today.  

The installation of pumps at Dunball continues. These will be switched on as soon as each one comes online. This will allow the Environment Agency to direct even more water down the River Sowy and into King's Sedgemoor Drain. This will help to reduce levels in the River Parrett and Tone. Minimising levels in the Tone is important because it reduces the amount of floodwater that enters Currymoor, Saltmoor and Northmoor.  

Additional pumps were installed at Currymoor last weekend. We are ready to run these pumps as soon as levels in the Tone recede. Currymoor remains full. 

Upstream of Langport, there is water stored on the moors and storage volumes remain high. All pumping stations are off. When river levels reduce enough, we will balance which pumping stations we operate to minimise risk to people or property.