North Devon braced for more heavy rain and gale force winds

North Devon residents are bracing themselves for localised flooding and further disruption to travel as heavy rain and gale force winds continue to batter the region.

A severe, amber-graded weather warning is in place for Devon and Cornwall from 2pm today until midnight with forecasters predicting heavy and persistent rain showers and wind speeds of up to 70mph.

There is expected to be further chaos on North Devon roads today, as well as disruption to rail and bus services.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest weather-related news including warnings, flood alerts and travel updates below. Click F5 to refresh the page.

LATEST TRAVEL - 4.45pm:

- The A3079 Station Road is closed and delays in the area are expected following a serious crash near Beaworthy. One vehicle was involved in the crash and police said one person has been seriously injured. The road is closed in both directions between the Station Road junction in Beaworthy and the A3072 junction at Brandis Corner.

- Traffic queues are heavy on the A386 in Bideford due to flooding. There is heavy traffic between Bideford Long Bridge and the A388 junction. Motorists are advised to approach with care.

- Springfield Terrace in East-the-Water, Bideford, is closed following a landslip last night in which 50 tonnes of earth fell onto the road. One car was damaged as a result but nobody was injured. The road is expected to remain closed until next week.

- Standing water on Old Bideford Road and flooded but just about passable where the road meets Roundswell.

- Police have been called to fallen power cables in Shebbear near Beaworthy. A resident called 999 reporting "sparking power cables". The live power cables are currently in the road near Endford Cottages. Western Power Distribution has also been informed. It is understood the high winds meant the cables detached from the electricity pole before coming down in a field and onto the road. Several homes in the area are reportedly without power.

- A fallen tree is blocking a road in Northam. The incident was reported to police at 1.45pm. Officers described the tree as "quite large" and said it would need to be chopped up with a chainsaw in order for it to be removed. The road is blocked just over the brow of Churchhill Way.

- The A361 near the Landkey junction is partially blocked due to several large hardboard timber sheets in the road. Police are at the scene.

- A fallen branch is affecting BT cables on the A377 at Chenson Wood, just past Lapford. The road is partially blocked near the Pope's Lane junction.

- A fallen tree is blocking the A386 between Torrington and Bideford. Police said the road is completely blocked after the "very large tree" came down at around 12.45pm. It narrowly missed hitting any vehicles as it fell, falling between two moving cars. No vehicles were damaged. Highways crews are at the scene, although the tree will need to be cut up to be moved due to its size.

- A fallen tree is leaning on power cables in Eggesford. Police and BT engineers are at the scene on the A377 in the direction of Eggesford Railway Station. The tree fell onto the power cables, which are now holding the tree up. Highways crews are in the process of cutting down the tree in order to remove it.

- A broken-down vehicle is causing problems on the A3072 near Hatherleigh.Motorists are advised to approach the area with care between the A386 Bowling Green Lane junction in Hatherleigh and the A386 junction in Folly Gate.

- The A396 in Bampton is closed in both directions due to flooding. It is closed at the Black Cat.

- A large fir tree which fell onto the road in Bishops Tawton earlier this afternoon has now been cleared. A local farmer helped move the tree after it fell near Codden Hill, just off the A377 at around 11.40am. The council attended but police said the farmer helped move the tree from the road.

- The A386 in Weare Giffard which was partially blocked in both directions earlier today has now been cleared. The road was blocked at the Loxdown Road junction because of a landslip. The incident has now been cleared.

- If driving over the Taw Bridge, be aware that the anemometer is reading gusts of 49mph.

- There is surface water on the A377 in the Crediton area.

This video, filmed on Wednesday, shows flooding on the A377 at Stoke Cannon towards Crediton from Exeter. It also shows flooding near Morchard Bishop.Video uploaded by YesiPleb.

If you have a weather, flooding or travel update for us ring 01271 347432, email emma.glanfield@northliffedigital.co.uk or write to us on Twitter: @ThisisNDevon.

We would also love to see your photos of the flooding chaos across North Devon.

LATEST FLOOD ALERTS:

Dozens of flood warnings and alerts remain in place for the South West.

In North Devon, flood warnings for the River Taw and Torridge are in full force.

VIDEO:

The Grand Western Canal bursts its banks and collapsed in Halberton last night.Video uploaded by Will7068.

Yesterday’s wet weather caused chaos across the county with many North Devon roads subjected to flooding and surface water.

Despite brief respite from heavy rain showers this morning, wind speeds are high in the area.

Shoppers in Barnstaple are preparing for the town’s Christmas lights switch on, which is expected to go ahead tonight despite the poor weather conditions.

Click here to view a full photo gallery of flooding across Devon over the last 48 hours.

Have you been affected by flooding? Get in touch or email your pictures to emma.glanfield@northcliffedigital.co.uk

Click here to view a one-day or four-day weather forecast for North Devon.