Flooding hits North Devon as heavy rain weather warning is upgraded to amber

A weather warning in place for North Devon today has been upgraded following heavy rain overnight.

The Met Office initially issued a yellow-graded warning, the lowest kind, for the region but has since upgraded its severity to ‘amber’.

Heavy rain is forecast for the majority of the region until at least 6pm.

A chief forecaster at the Met Office said: “An area of low pressure is expected to move north across western England and Wales during Thursday, bringing periods of heavy rain.

“A further 20-40mm of rain is likely quite widely with as much as 60mm in places. With saturated ground following the rain of Wednesday, this is likely to lead to run off and an increased risk of flooding.

“The public should be prepared for an increased risk of both surface water and river flooding.”

The wet weather has already caused disruption to some parts of North Devon.

Fire crews were called to a property near Holsworthy in the early hours after the occupants reported it had flooded.

One crew from the town attended the house in West Putford at around 1.30am.

Firefighters diverted the flow of the water away from the property and assisted the homeowners in pumping out the floodwater.

There are a number of problems on North Devon's roads this morning as well due to the weather.

The A386 is currently blocked in Weare Giffard after the heavy rain caused a landslide at the Loxdown Road junction at around 7am.

As of 10am, Devon County Council confirmed the following roads remain affected by flooding and surface water:

- Turnpike Cross in Woolacombe is impassable

- The B3231 Saunton Road in Saunton is closed in both directions between the Broad Lane junction and the Westcroyde junction because of flooding

- Flooding on the A377 at Blackmoor Gate

- Flooding on the A386 between Holsworthy and Bridgerule due to issues with the River Tamar. This should improve once high tide has peeked.

- Flooding on the A361 at Chivenor Roundabout

- Crash on Long Drag Hill in Tiverton. A car has hit flood water and veered into a hedge. The road is blocked while emergency services deal with the incident and the debris is cleared.

- Flooding from Blakewell Cross to Homedown Cross in Chittlehampton

- Flooding between Lee Cross and Mullacott Cross in Ilfracombe

- Flooding between Langridge Cross and Eastacombe Farm in Atherington

- Flooding between Taw Cottage and Portsmouth Arms in High Bickington

- Flooding between Pound Lane End and Kingford Bridge in High Bickington

- Flooding on the A39 near Shirwell

- Flooding on the A399 between between Ilfracombe and Watermouth

- Flooding on the A361 Braunton Road between Barnstaple and Braunton

A number of flood alerts, which advise the public of possible flooding, are also in place for North Devon today.

The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts for the Lower River Taw and its tributaries, all Exmoor rivers, the Rivers Torridge, Waldon, Lew, Caen, Bradiford Water and Yeo and coastal streams in Hartland, Clovelly, Braunton and Combe Martin.

Craig Woolhouse, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Our teams are out around the clock to minimise the risks and prepare for flooding, clearing drainage channels and ensuring that flood defences are working properly.

“We urge people to keep up to date with the weather forecast and local news overnight and remain prepared for flooding in their area.”

There will be brief respite on Friday before more heavy rain hits the region on Saturday.

A weather warning is in place for Devon and Cornwall for the majority of Saturday, with a further 20-30mm of rain expected to fall across the county.

It comes as forecasters this week warned people to expect up to seven days of unsettled conditions as a series of wet weather systems engulf the UK.

Have you been affected by the poor weather? Have you witnessed a fallen tree or flooding? Let us know by emailing emma.glanfield@northcliffedigital.co.uk or by letting us know on Twitter: @ThisisNDevon.

Click here to view the weather forecast for North Devon for today and the next four days.