Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Storm Chandra Flooding

11 February 2026 · 2 other contributors

Opened by Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton

ClimateAgriculture & Rural AffairsEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Sarah Dyke raised concerns about storm chandra flooding in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The hon. Member Sarah Dyke raised concerns about the impact of Storm Chandra on Somerset, emphasizing the need for better resilience strategies and increased investment in flood defences.
  • The Minister acknowledged the severe impact of Storm Chandra, which led to three severe flood warnings in Somerset and Dorset, and highlighted the collaborative effort of various agencies in responding to the crisis.
  • The Government committed 10.5 billion towards addressing flooding and supporting affected communities.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton

The hon. Member Sarah Dyke raised concerns about the impact of Storm Chandra on Somerset, highlighting the immediate and long-term effects of flooding on communities. She emphasised the need for better resilience strategies, including natural flood management and community-led initiatives. The speech covered recent events such as the declaration of a major incident due to 50 mm of rainfall causing widespread damage and ongoing challenges despite emergency responses from local authorities and the Environment Agency (EA). Dyke also discussed the broader implications of climate change on future flooding risks, projecting significant economic losses if no action is taken. She called for increased investment in flood defences and a review of EA decisions impacting main river maintenance.

Other contributors (2)
  • Name

    Intervention here

  • Iain Stewart Lab Milton Keynes South

    Acknowledged the hon. Member's speech and emphasised the need for mitigation, resilience and protection of communities.

Government Response

Emma Hardy

The Minister thanked Sarah Dyke for her debate on flooding due to Storm Chandra. She acknowledged the severe impact of the storm, which led to three severe flood warnings in Somerset and Dorset. The Government's response involved local resilience forums, first responders, Environment Agency staff, emergency services, and volunteers working together to support residents through evacuations, pumping operations, and assistance with re-entry into flooded homes. The Minister committed £10.5 billion by March 2036 for flood defences, increasing the annual investment from previous levels to benefit nearly 900,000 properties. Additionally, a review of main river maintenance in Somerset will take place following this incident. She also highlighted natural flood management investments and the role of internal drainage boards. The Minister emphasised the Government’s commitment to responding effectively to floods through targeted infrastructure improvements and comprehensive support for communities.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy