Devon flood alerts in place due to heavy rain

Road closures and flood warnings have been issued in Devon due to heavy rain on Sunday.

Devon County Council (DCC) Highways asked motorists to find a “alternative route” after the A377 near Crediton was closed due to a flood at about 05:25 GMT.

Highways said at about 08:10 GMT Station Road in Newton St. Cyres was also “impassable” due to flood water from the river Creedy”.

BBC reporter Andrea Ormsby, at the scene, said the road was now “passable” but the river Creedy has broken its banks and fields have become “a river”.

DCC said Hunsdon Road near Ivybridge was flooded and impassable at about 08:30 GMT.

The authority has advised motorists to find an alternative route.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning on Sunday morning for “further heavy rainfall” which may lead to some transport disruption in places.

It said the warning was in place until 09:00 GMT on Monday.

Flood warnings have been issued by the Environment Agency (EA) for the River Taw and river Torridge.

DCC added flood waters may be “deep and fast flowing” in these areas, therefore urged residents to “take action now”.

The EA said: “Remain safe and be aware of your local surroundings.

“Over the past 12 hours we have seen heavy rainfall in the River Taw area. This has meant that the River Taw is now rising.

“Properties and low-lying areas along the River Taw will start to flood first from around 05:30am on Sunday.

“We will be closely monitoring the situation throughout the day and this message will be updated as the situation changes.”

At about 07:00 GMT the EA said the River Taw at Newham Bridge was 2.89m and it was rising.

“Property flooding is possible when it goes above 3.00m,” added the EA.

The EA issued a flood warning for River Avon from Didworthy to Aveton Gifford at 10:08 GMT.

A Kingsbridge resident said Tidal Road in Aveton Gifford was “almost covered” amid the heavy rain, adding it was the “highest tide” they have seen in the village.

They added: “It doesn’t usually come up that far, but the storm has pushed the water up.”

Other warnings issued on Sunday morning include the River Clyst from Broadclyst to Clyst St. Mary and the River Lew at Gribbleford Bridge and Hatherleigh.

“It may come as a bit of a shock to the system this morning – much milder, yes – but also wetter. Temperatures in places are 10C higher than yesterday.

“After some transient overnight sleet/snow, milder air has spread in overnight and we’ve since seen an abrupt transition back to rain – now the next source of potential disruption.

“As a result, the Met Office has issued a weather warning for rain, until 09:00 on Monday, with the risk of localised surface water flooding.

Ms Osborne added: “So umbrellas/fewer layers needed today. But it’s not time to put the winter woollies away just yet, colder air returns tomorrow.”