'I watched as the flood came over the barrier'
Elaine Merrick-ReedResidents in parts of Somerset say recent flooding is the "worst they have seen" after stormy weather caused disruption over Sunday and Monday.
Elaine Merrick-Reed, who lives in Chard - one of the worst-hit places - said she watched helplessly as flood water started to build outside of her house.
"I looked out and it was coming in waves. It came over the barrier and flooded everywhere. It was awful," she said.
She added: "This is the worst it's been and I have been here 20 years. It was really scary. You feel helpless."
Despite many homes being damaged by the flooding, one resident of Ilminster said neighbours have been helping each other out.
Ben Perham said the water rose from the pavement to his house within 20 minutes.
"The second it breached the bags it just flew in through the backdoor," he said.
"The community spirit has been absolutely amazing. Everyone has been out on the street checking on each other, trying to direct traffic and unplug drains," he said.
"The council needs to be on top of the drains. We pay our tax - it needs to be done."
Ben PerhamSomerset Council leader Bill Revans said it had been a "difficult night" for everyone affected.
"There's always more that the council could have done in advance," he continued.
"However, the amount of rain and the duration in which that rain fell yesterday... even if every drain had been cleared, we'd still have had a significant problem."
The council declared a major incident in Somerset after Storm Éowyn caused heavy rainfall and flooding across parts of the UK last week.
Yellow weather warnings have been issued for much of the West of England until Tuesday morning, as Storm Herminia hits part of the UK.
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for Chard, Martock, Ilminster and Yeovil.
Several schools in Somerset were closed on Monday due to the extreme weather, but most are expected to reopen on Tuesday.
Kiralee Cooper, who lives in Chard, said her street looked "like a river" on Sunday.
"I haven't seen it this bad and I've lived here for nearly 30 years," she said.
"The whole of Chard was flooded."
The severe weather has caused chaos throughout the county, causing a landslide in the village of Barrington.
Care home residents at Burnworthy House in South Petherton had to be moved when the ground floor flooded.
Staff said residents are now "safe, warm and dry" after "unprecedented flooding" on the ground floor.
A Burnworthy House care home spokesperson said North Mill brook, which runs behind the building, "burst its banks" on Sunday.
"Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our residents and we are now liaising with commissioners and the families of those in our care to ensure that those impacted continue to receive the care they need while the clean-up operation gets underway," they said.
Brian Drury, owner of BD Garden & Pet Supplies in Ilminster, says the floodwater in his store was 2ft (60cm) deep.
"I've been here 40 years and I've never seen anything like it," he said.
"It had gone straight through the back, there's mud and all out there now. The boxes were floating out there in it."
Speaking to BBC Points West from South Petherton, Yeovil MP Adam Dance said the flooding was "the worst I've ever seen".
"I've lived here my whole entire life and I would say this is a disaster that has hit our community once again," he added.
Somerset Council opened two emergency rest centres, one in Ilminster and one in Chard.
Mr Revans said both have been used by residents who have had to leave their homes.
He said all of the council's teams will be helping with the clear-up, adding: "Please make sure flooding is reported and please don't drive through flood water."
A meeting is being held between the council and the Environment Agency to determine how best to support residents.
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