Alert issued as more rain forecast

Residents were today (MONDAY) warned to be on alert after further heavy, persistent rain was expected to move across southwest England. Although the more persistent rain should clear from Devon by early afternoon, heavy and possibly thundery showers are likely to follow.

Please be prepared for disruption to transport due to localised flooding, whilst flooding of homes and businesses is also possible.

Some 20-30 mm of rain is expected fall in a 3-6 hour period in places, and a low risk of this falling in 1-2 hours. There could be as much as 40-60 mm possible locally through the whole of Monday. The ground has been left very wet from Saturday night's rain and this increases the risk of further flooding.

One fire appliance from Colyton and one from Seaton attended a vehicle stuck in flood water where two women were trapped at 11.23am yesterday. Crews used water safety equipment and a ladder to gain access to the occupants Cownhayne Lane, Colyton, and rescued them from the vehicle.

An ambulance attended to look over the casualties as a precaution.

Devon and Cornwall Police declared a major incident at 4.15am on Sunday 20th November 2016 due to flooding at the Mill on the Mole residential park, South Molton.

Heavier than expected rain passed through the area from 5pm on Saturday 19th November, causing the River Mole to flood and sending deep and fast flowing water through the site. At times the water was up to 4 feet deep.

Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Falmouth Coastguard, district and County Council staff and the Environment Agency all worked together to ensure the safety of the residents and to evacuate some of them.

By 5.50am the rain had stopped and the flood subsided very rapidly, leaving water on the site only ankle deep. No more residents have been evacuated and those that were are returning to their homes. Nobody was injured due to the flooding incident.

People evacuated from the chalets and otherwise affected by the flooding were looked after at a reception centre set up at South Molton Community College, which has now closed.

Police advise that there are several road closures in the area and in other areas of Devon, and members of the public are urged not to drive through flooded roads and to take extra care because of the risk of debris brought down into roads by high winds.

For updates on flooding and for flood alerts into the rest of Sunday 20th November and on into Monday 21st November, call the Environment Agency’s Floodline on 03459 881188 or go to the website at https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/

The Environment Agency advises that if you require sandbags to protect against flooding, you should contact your local council and not the Environment Agency, who cannot distribute sandbags. You will find a list of local council numbers towards the bottom of the “Can they help?” page on the Devon and Cornwall Police website: https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/others-who-can-help/can-they-help/