Lynmouth floods remembered
60 years ago today, the villages of Lynmouth and Barbrook were devastated by floods
Accusations of Somerset Levels flooding mismanagement
People living on the Somerset Levels say mismanagement of recent flooding has turned farmland and wildlife habitat into a swamp.
Bank Holiday Hopes
The wet and windy weather in the region is bad news for many events over the bank holiday weekend
Live updates
Flood defences boost for Somerset
Flood defences in Somerset are to benefit from a boost of more than £200,000. It's after the county council received a Government windfall of almost 3 quarters of a million pounds.
The money will be used to clear blocked ditchies and gullies which are thought to have contributed to recent flooding.
Flood alerts issued for Devon and Cornwall
The Environment Agency has put out flood alerts for some areas in the region. This is the lowest level of flood warning; it means flooding is possible, and residents should be prepared. The warnings are:
- Upper River Tamar: Bude, Helebridge, Bridgerule, Canworthy Water and Yeolmbridge
- Middle River Exe: from Exebridge to Tiverton and the Rivers Haddeo, Batherm and Lowman
- Barnstaple, Braunton, Ilfracombe and Combe Martin area: the Rivers Caen, Bradiford Water and Yeo and coastal streams from Braunton to Combe Martin
- River Dart: Totnes, Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Dartmouth, Torbay
- Rivers Clyst and Culm: Hemyock, Cullompton, Stoke Canon, Broadclyst, Clyst St Mary
Full details can be found the Environment Agency's flood warnings webpage.
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Flood defence funding for Exeter: full report
The Government has announced today that it's putting millions of pounds into new flood defences for Exeter. The scheme will create 1,000 new jobs.
The funding comes after studies revealed an extreme case of flooding could affect more than 5,000 homes and devastate the local economy.
Richard Lawrence reports:
Exeter City Council welcomes news of flood funding
– Exeter City Council Leader Pete EdwardsIt's great news that the government has recognised the threat that flooding has on the people of Exeter and unlocked the necessary funding to enable this crucial project to take place.
The City Council and County Council had already committed a total of £6 million towards the scheme but this latest announcement allows these essential flood defences to be put in place sooner rather than later."
Devon County Council to contribute £3 million towards flood defence
– Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County CouncilWe've been pushing very hard to get this scheme up and running , even putting up £3 million each towards the project. The new defences will provide relief for hundreds of householders and businesses in Exeter.
Devon County Council has already had officers helping to work up the scheme because we feel it is so important to the safety of so many Exeter residents.'
Environment Agency says funding will be a 'relief to homeowners'
– George Arnison, Environment Agency.The Exeter scheme will bring huge relief to homeowners and businesses that have lived with the fear of being flooded. This is also a message to the business community, as it is hoped that by building this flood defence scheme economic potential will be unlocked and jobs created in the city.
Our priority is to do as much as we can with every pound of funding and the new partnership funding approach is bringing in new money to allow flood defences to go ahead that would have been unaffordable in the past."
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Exeter flood defence scheme gets government funding
More than 2,000 homes will be better protected from the effects of flooding after a proposed Exeter flood defence scheme was given a boost by additional government funding today.
The £26 million scheme will be funded from Flood Defence Grants in Aid, Exeter City Council and Devon County Council contributions of £3 million each plus the shortfall money from the Government’s additional growth fund, that was bid for last year.
The project is due to be completed by 2017. The new flood defences are expected to create over 1,000 jobs and protect businesses.
Brixham Christmas lights switch-on cancelled
Tomorrow's official switch-on of the Christmas lights in Brixham has been cancelled owing to the weather. Organisers say a forecast of gale force winds means the accompanying fireworks display could not take place. Brixham Town Council is considering re-scheduling the event.
ROADS: Devon road closures
Portland Avenue in Exmouth has been closed after a hole approximately six feet deep opened as a result of heavy rainfall on already saturated ground. Devon County Council reports that the B3344 Teign Valley road and the B3181 at Westcott is closed due to flooding.
And near North Molton, the road from Heasley Mill to Great Heasley is closed due to road surface deterioration.