Clean up operation underway after severe flooding in Somerset

Many homes have been affected by floodwater

A clean up operation is underway after major flooding hit the county of Somerset in the south west of England.

Storm Herminia brought wind and heavy rain to much of Wales and southern England.

Floods caused by the storm forced some people in Somerset to be evacuated from their homes on Monday as a precaution, some schools and businesses had to close and there were power cuts across the region.

A major incident was declared in the county on Monday because of the flooding, which has since been stood down.

Homes were flooded, including this one in the town of Ilminster

The heavy rainfall caused a landslip which blocked a road and needed to be cleared

Businesses have been affected by the floodwater, with some having to close their doors

Emergency rest centres have been opened and some roads, schools and shops have been shut due to the flooding.

Ian Withers, from the Environment Agency, said there was "a huge amount of water" in the rivers and the systems saying it is impossible to predict where the intense showers will fall.

He said: "So the message for us, our partners and communities is to think we could be the victims of this type of rain, and with climate change, that is more likely to happen, so we need to make our homes, businesses or travel plans more resilient."

The flooding hit Water Street in Langport, Somerset

Fields were also underwater

The Met Office said that over the month of January, the south of the UK had been wetter than the north, which is not normally the case.

It said conditions were improving with "a quieter spell of weather" due from Thursday.