Respite for Mid Devon after last week's floods (From Mid Devon Star)

Respite for Mid Devon after last week's floods

10:00am Saturday 20th October 2012 in Devon By Daniel Milligan

ROADS resembled rivers and parks looked like ponds after the Great British weather struck again.

Prolonged heavy rain saw water levels on the River Lowman in Tiverton increase by about 5ft last week causing The Environment Agency to issue two food warnings.

The river peaked at 2.06m last Thursday (October 11) and trees were spotted flowing downstream. The river burst its banks at about 3pm leaving nearby Lowman Green under several feet of water.

Properties and roads in low-lying areas of Tiverton, including Tiverton Business Park, Chapel Street, Station Road, Blundells Road and Tumbling Fields, were also badly affected.

Homeowners in Chapel Street used sandbags to protect their properties in what was the worst flooding in over a decade for the region.

The Inn on the Green Pub, which suffered severe water damage in December 2000 when it was called the Prince Regent, survived the flooding this time around.

Swinton Insurance on the other side of the road also narrowly escaped the flood water.

The Environment Agency said that once the water levels have dropped and it is safe to do so, it will upgrade flood defences on the river and start dredging work delayed because of the rain.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it received more than 90 weather-related calls on Thursday of which 20 involved vehicles stuck in floodwater, 29 concerned flooding in houses and one involved rescuing a horse from water.

Flooding on the railway line between Crediton and Barnstaple caused First Great Western to suspend its services.

The area looks set for some respite over the next few days with only occasional showers and possible drizzle on Sunday.