Flooding hits South West; driver rescued near Newton Abbot; landslips at Kingskerswell and Shaldon

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 near Newton Abbot and landslips at Kingskerswell and Shaldon...

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 include landslips at Kingskerswell and Shaldon, a road that has partially collapsed in Ashburton, and the fire services rescuing drivers from cars in flood waters at Sidmouth and Teigngrace near Newton Abbot.

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. There is also a fallen tree. There has also been a landslip on the A383 near Bickington, Willow Park Lane in Kingskerswell

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.

Just before 6am, fire appliances 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.

Driver rescued at Teigngrace

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.

Affected roads

Devon County Council is reporting that Luscombe Hill in Dawlish has also been blocked by a fallen tree. Among the roads affected by flooding are the B3179 Clyst St George to Woodbury, A375 at Sidbury, A3052 at Newton Poppleford, Pound Lane at Uplyme and the A386 at Weare Gifford.

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.