Flooding hits South West; driver rescued in Sidmouth

FLOODING HAS hit the South West overnight. It follows heavy rain and gales across the region. The Met Office has issued an amber warning, with 40 to 60mm of rain expected to fall widely over southern parts of the region by the end of today. Eighteen flood warnings and 46 flood alerts are in place from the Environment Agency. There have been a number of incidents in Devon, including a driver rescued from a car in Sidmouth and the River Otter bursting its banks at Otterton...

Heavy rain and gales returned with a vengeance to the South West last night. The worst of it has been in Cornwall, but Devon has also taken a battering.

Key incidents in Devon this morning include a landslip at Shaldon, a road that has partially collapsed in Ashburton and drivers stranded in flood waters at Sidmouth and Teigngrace near Newton Abbot. Roads in East Devon have also been affected.

Shaldon landslip

A landslip in Shaldon has caused a long stretch of the A379 - from Ringmore Road to Deane Lane in Maidencombe - to be closed. The landslip is believed to be at least 15ft across and 3ft deep.

Residents in Ashburton called the emergency services last night to report flooding in the area. Fire crews gave assistance where they could. This morning it's understood that Ashburton Primary School has closed after part of the road outside the premises partially collapsed.

Driver rescued in Sidmouth

Just before 6am, fire applicances from Sidmouth rescued a person stuck in their car in floodwater at Mill Street, Sidmouth. Crews set to work in dry suits to rescue the person from floodwater uninjured.

Half an hour later, two fire appliances from Newton Abbot, along with a specialist rescue team from Camels Head, rescued a person stuck in their car in floodwater at Teigngrace near Newton Abbot.

East Devon roads

Among the roads affected by flooding are the B3719 Clyst St George to Woodbury, A375 at Sidbury, A3025 at Newton Poppleford, Pound Lane at Uplyme and the A386 Weare Gifford.

Devon County Council is also reporting that the River Otter has burst its banks at Otterton. Further details when we have them.

The poor weather conditions are expected to continue during the day. The heavy rain is likely to ease overnight, with more showers expected on Saturday, easing on Sunday. It will turn colder.