Flood warnings issued as heavy rain lashes region (From Mid Devon Star)

4:49pm

HEAVY rain in Devon has caused a road bridge to collapse, damage to a road beside a school and several landslips.

The South Hams and east of the county have been worst affected after about 50mm (2 in) of rain fell in 24 hours.

Jubilee Bridge in Modbury has been destroyed, and Ashburton Primary School was closed after part of a road outside it collapsed.

There are unconfirmed reports that a wall has collapsed at Dartmoor Prison in Princetown.

BBC Weather said heavy rain was forecast until about 8pm.

Roads in Ivybridge, Newton Abbot, Bovey Tracey, Exton and parts of east Devon were hardest hit by floodwater, Devon County Council said.

Landslips were reported on the A383 near Bickington, Willow Park Lane in Kingskerswell, and the A379 near Shaldon, where there was also a fallen tree.

Luscombe Hill in Dawlish was blocked by a fallen tree.

The River Otter burst its banks at Otterton.

Two people were rescued from high water overnight in Wembury and Plymstock.

Two more had to be rescued from cars in Teigngrace and Sidmouth on Friday morning, fire crews said.

South Hams District Council said the 136-year-old Jubilee Bridge collapsed overnight and drivers should stay away from the area during its clear-up.

4:34pm

18 Flood warnings and 41 flood alerts remain in place across the south west as heavy rain continues to batter the region.

These include Mid Devon rivers the Creedy, Creedy Yeo, Little Dart, Lapford Yeo and their tributaries, as well as the middle and lower sections of the River Exe.

To keep up to date with the latest warnings visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk
 

4:31pm

11:48am

Don’t attempt to drive through flood water – you may well get stuck!
With the met office predicting that the wet weather is set to continue today Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service offer some useful advice which could help prevent accidents during heavy rainfall and flooding:

People should bear in mind the following safety tips:

• do not attempt to drive through flooded roads or fords. The water is often deeper than it looks and may be moving quite fast. Your vehicle may be swept away or become stranded. Vehicles can float away in just two feet of water

• if your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately if safe to do so and seek higher ground.
• do not travel in heavy rain storms unless absolutely necessary. Keep an eye on weather reports on local television or listen to local radio.
• do not attempt to walk through flooded areas. Even shallow water moving fast can sweep you off your feet and there may be hidden dangers such as open drains, damaged road surfaces, submerged debris or deep channels; these can cause serious injuries or even death

• children should not be allowed to play in flood water, which can become contaminated with sewerage and chemicals

• do not smoke, eat or drink whilst in contact with floodwater and always wash your hands afterwards

• following a flood in your home, make sure all electrical circuits are fully dried out and checked by an electrical engineer before switching back on can cause serious injuries or even death.

Flood Updates
The Environment Agency has flood warning updates on their web site every 15 minutes, please visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood or ring their floodline 08459 881188 service.
 

11:45am

DEVON County Council is urging people to travel with extreme care today (Friday) and to be prepared for the possibility of disruption on some of Devon’s roads.
There has been torrential rainfall across the county overnight and this morning, with Ivybridge, Newton Abbot, Bovey Tracey, Exton and parts of East Devon hardest hit.
Heavy downpours and strong winds are forecast to continue throughout today and the County Council is advising people to be aware of surface water, flooding, debris and damage on the highway network.
The road near Ashburton Primary School has partially collapsed and teams are already on site assessing the damage. The School has been closed.
There have been landslips on the A383 near Bickington, Willow Park Lane in Kingskerswell and the A379 near Shaldon where there is also a fallen tree. Luscombe Hill in Dawlish has also been blocked by a fallen tree.
Among the roads affected by flooding are the B3179 Clyst St George to Woodbury, A375 at Sidbury, A3052 at Newton Poppleford, Pound Lane at Uplyme and the A386 Weare Gifford.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “Our highways teams are working hard to deal with a number of incidents - flooding, landslips, fallen trees, and blocked roads so do expect the possibility of delays but we are trying to minimise disruption as much as possible. We would urge everyone travelling this morning to be aware of surface water and not to drive through floodwater. With rain expected to continue there is the potential for more disruption, particularly as we head towards high tide at lunchtime, so motorists should drive with extreme caution and stick to the main road network where possible.”
10 Flood Warnings remain in force, with the River Otter bursting its banks at Otterton.
For more information and travel advice from Devon County Council visit: www.devon.gov.uk/winter_travel or for updates on Twitter follow @HughHOCC and @Devonroads
 

10:54am

10:23am

FLOOD warnings are in place across the south west region as a band of prolonged wet weather continues to drench the region today (Friday).

The Met Office has issued a amber warning - the second most severe alert - for persistant, heavy rain and gale-strength winds throughout today and into tomorrow (Saturday).

The Environment Agency currently has 18 flood warnings in place, including for the River Clyst from Broadclyst to Clyst St Mary.

In the past 24 hours, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has been called to three flooding incidents in Plymstock, Sidmouth and Newton Abbot.

In a statement, the Met Office's chief forecaster said: "Frontal bands pushing northeastwards during the latter part of Thursday and during Friday will find their progress slowed up by a blocking area of high pressure located northeast of the United Kingdom.

"This will result in the associated rain-bearing systems becoming slow-moving over southwestern parts of England and Wales leading to heavy and, at times, prolonged rainfall.

"Between 40 to 60mm is expected to fall widely over southern parts of both Cornwall and Devon by the end of Friday with the potential for in excess of 100mm to fall over exposed southern and southeastern upslopes.

"Southeasterly winds will also increase to reach gale force around exposed coasts and also over high ground."

For the latest flood warnings as they are issued, go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk