Flooding Returns To South West
Heavy rain has brought more widespread flooding to the South West.
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RNLI crews save life of woman swept away by floods
30 flood warnings in place as flooding causes disruption
30 flood warnings are still in place across the South West as flooding continues to cause travel disruption.
On the roads:
- A30 in Honiton in Devon is closed
- A399 in Brayford in Devon is closed
On the trains:
- First Great Western services between Par and Newquay suspended
- Disruption to services between Exeter St Davids and Tiverton Parkway
- Services suspended between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple
Walk, drive and travel with care this Christmas
Police are urging the public to stay safe and remain vigilant even though the rainfall is expected to clear from the region eastwards today.
Although the heaviest rainfall has now eased, the public are advised to remain vigilant as potentially more heavy showers are expected during Christmas day, especially in the evening, and into Boxing Day.
Police are advising motorists to drive safely and be aware of surface water, potholes and the potential for landslips.
River levels remain high although they are generally now receding, however this could easily change as more rain falls across the region over the coming days.
With walking a popular pursuit over the festive period, the advice is to stay away from rivers, coastal paths which could be unstable and do not walk under cliff tops.
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Video: fire service & Network Rail hard at work after River Exe bursts its banks
Teignmouth landslip causes rail disruption
A landslip which happened at 5am is causing major problems for those wanting to get in and out of South Devon.
It happened in the same place as previous landslides earlier this month near Parsons Tunnel.
Train operators CrossCountry and First Great Western are providing road transport between Tiverton Parkway and Exeter St Davids.
New flood warning for the upper River Tone
The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for the River Tone (upper) from Waterrow to Bishops Hull. Particular locations at risk are Wellington and Bradford-on-Tone.
An average of about 10mm of rain has fallen today [Monday], with up to another 5mm forecast until this afternoon.
River levels on the River Tone at Greenham are rising in response to the rainfall but expected to peak this afternoon. However with daily totals of 5 to 10 mm rain forecast for the next few days, river levels will remain high.
There are currently a total of 28 flood warnings across the South West.
Why were dams put on the railway line?
Steve Hawkins from Network Rail explains how putting dams on the Penzance to Paddington line means the service around Exeter will be closed for days, rather than weeks.
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'Severe' flood warning at Helston removed
The Environment Agency has lifted it's 'severe' flood warning for the River Cober in Helston. River levels in the Cober have now stabilised and the Loe Pool pumping operations are continuing and have stabilised levels.
However, all catchments remain very wet and further moderate rain is expected through Monday and into Tuesday.
Christmas on hold as more flooding looms
Christmas preparations will be on hold for many people in the South West as they brace themselves against the possibility of yet more flooding.
Despite a brief respite from the downpours yesterday [Sunday], water levels continued to rise as rain washes down off hills to swell already torrential rivers.
Some will be swapping turkey and presents for mops, buckets and sandbags as they desperately try to clear up and protect their homes from further threats of floods.
There are currently 22 flood warnings in place across the South West.
The Westcountry braces itself for more rain
It's been another difficult day for thousands of people across the region as floods brought further Christmas misery. A family was rescued after their car was swept away by flood water in Devon. Tonight people are preparing themselves for still more rain. John Andrews reports
Flooding at Bishops Tawton
Properties have been flooded at Bishops Tawton near Barnstaple.
