Bluebird Care Taunton & Tiverton would like to say a heartfelt thank you to our incredible carers for their dedication during the recent severe flooding across Somerset.
Over the past couple of weeks, Somerset has faced some of the heaviest rainfall and flooding seen in over a decade, with a major incident declared as rivers rose, roads closed, and homes were affected. In some areas, as much as 200mm of rain fell in just a few weeks, leading to dozens of road closures and dangerous driving conditions across the county. Despite this, our carers continued to find safe routes, adapt their journeys, and work together to make sure customers still received the care they rely on.
Many of our team faced long detours, flooded lanes, and rapidly changing travel advice, yet they remained calm, professional, and compassionate throughout. Their commitment meant vulnerable customers were not left without essential support at a time when they needed it most.
How bad the flooding has been in Somerset
In late January, Somerset experienced what experts described as one of the wettest weeks since 2014, with around 100mm of rain falling over a single weekend on already saturated ground. A major incident was declared as river levels rose, spillways ran, and pumps were brought in to move water off the Somerset Levels and Moors as quickly as possible.
Key routes such as the A361 between East Lyng and Burrowbridge and several Moors and Levels roads were closed, with some minor roads remaining impassable for days. Around 50 homes in the county were reported as flooded, with people rescued from vehicles and properties as floodwaters rose. In these challenging conditions, reaching customers safely required constant planning, coordination, and flexibility.
The strength of a regulated care provider in a crisis
Events like this highlight why choosing a regulated home care provider such as Bluebird Care Taunton & Tiverton can make such a difference. As a CQC‑regulated service, Bluebird Care operates within robust systems for risk management, continuity planning, and safeguarding, overseen by a wider national organisation and local leadership teams. This structure helps ensure that even when roads are closed or weather conditions are severe, there are clear plans in place to maintain essential visits wherever it is safe to do so.
Because we are part of a large, established organisation, we can coordinate alternative travel options, adjust rotas, and redeploy carers quickly when usual routes are disrupted. Our office team closely monitors local updates and works proactively to plan safe journeys, communicate with families, and prioritise the most vulnerable customers. This joined‑up approach reduces the risk of any customer going unseen, even during major incidents.
Why this matters for families choosing care
For families, knowing that their loved one’s care provider has the backing, systems, and scale to respond in an emergency brings real peace of mind. A regulated provider like Bluebird Care Taunton & Tiverton combines local knowledge with organisational support, meaning:
There are contingency plans for adverse weather and travel disruption.
Rotas can be flexibly reworked to keep visits running wherever safely possible.
Communication with customers and families is structured and proactive.
Safeguarding and welfare checks are central to every decision.
The dedication shown by our carers during the Somerset floods is a powerful example of this in action. Their efforts, supported by strong organisational systems, helped ensure our customers continued to feel safe, supported, and never forgotten.
Thank you, from all of us
To every member of the Bluebird Care Taunton & Tiverton team who battled flooded roads, changed plans at short notice, and put customers first throughout this challenging period: thank you. Your hard work, resilience, and compassion are at the heart of what makes regulated home care so valuable to our community in Somerset.
