A rescue boat and crew from Burnham-On-Sea charity BARB helped to deliver vital supplies to a flood-hit village on Wednesday (November 28th).
All roads in and out of the village of Muchelney, near Langport, have been closed for five days due to severe flooding.
The County Council called for the help of BARB (Burnham Area Rescue Boat), which is a member of the Somerset Civil Contingencies group.
The charity sent its inshore rescue boat crew to the scene to help get essential food and medical supplies to the village’s 120 residents.
During the day-long operation, 18 residents were taken across the fields to Langport through the waist-deep flood water.
BARB crewmember Roger Flower, pictured below, said: “We have been incredibly busy today, getting supplies for residents of the ‘island village’ of Muchelney.”
“The villagers were so relieved to see us and incredibly grateful for the help. They were able to top up their dwindling supplies and one lady who was in a lot of pain was taken onboard the boat for an emergency dentist trip.”
BARB Operations Manager Mike Lowe added: “BARB is always happy to help during incidents like this. Our crew are trained and equipped to deal with these kinds of situations.”
The charity’s volunteers are on standby to return to the village in the coming days.
BARB crewmember Roger Flower reflects on the successful operation
A rescue truck from BARB at the scene on Wednesday
A farm is completely surrounded by water near the village
The rescue boat taking residents from the flood-hit village to Langport
The church in the centre of the ‘island village’ on the Somerset levels
RELATED LINKS:
Official BARB Web site
