More storms batter Devon
The South West is again being readied for a battering by the elements as high winds and heavy rain approach the region.
Met Office warnings for heavy rain are in place prompting further flood fears as another 10mm-20mm of rain is expected to fall on already saturated ground.
The Met Office has said: “The public should be prepared for disruption to transport and locally to power supplies, particularly when combined with the impacts of heavy rainfall.”
Police and partner agencies across Devon and Cornwall are continuing to prepare for severe weather.
Multi-agency co-ordination centres will open today (Saturday) in Exeter, Plymouth and Truro to deal with any weather related issues.
Police are asking all road users to drive appropriately and be prepared to face standing water and road debris – particularly on more rural routes.
Due to current difficulties on the region’s rail infrastructure, main routes across Devon and Cornwall are expected to be busier this weekend as people take to roads rather than rail to travel.
Chair of the Devon and Cornwall Local Resilience Forum, Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton, spoke to Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday evening and will further update COBR nationally later on Friday.
Assistant Chief Constable Netherton said: “The impact on Devon and Cornwall has been huge and I have spoken on behalf of the Local Resilience Forum to make the Prime Minister aware of the challenges we face as a region.
“This weekend is due to be another test for us, but I’m confident that as a multi-agency effort we have the skills and ability to keep Devon and Cornwall safe and moving.”
High waves are expected once again, particularly around the southern coastline of Devon and Cornwall, with serious dangers to anyone standing or in a vehicle near to coastal promenades and beaches.
The Environment Agency is also continuing to warn of potential for river flooding across Devon in particular.
Mr Netherton added: “Our own staff within the police and that of other agencies have performed fantastically in the last week and will continue too over the weekend and into what is an unsettled period of weather next week.
“I’d ask members of the public to do what they can to not put themselves at risk – particularly on the coast.”
Devon braced for further storms
Devon County Council highways teams are on standby to deal with further storm damage this weekend.
The county is braced for more storms, with widespread heavy rain forecast overnight. Strong South/South Easterly winds are set to return this evening and continue throughout tomorrow which could leave the South coast vulnerable again.
The North coast could be hit by waves of up to 10 metres and flood warnings are expected to be in force this evening, mainly for South and East Devon rivers.
There may also be the possibility of icy roads overnight on Saturday and into Sunday morning, which could affect local roads, particularly minor routes which are not on the salting network.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention, said: “Conditions this weekend are set to deteriorate again, so there is potential for more surface water, flooding and trees down. Our teams are on standby to respond to issues on our road network, but if the damage is on the scale that we sustained earlier this week, there may well be more disruption. I would urge everyone to be aware of the possibility of further flooding and storm damage. We would advise people to remember not to attempt to drive through floodwater or closed roads and to keep away from exposed coasts in stormy conditions.”
A number of locations on the coast path are closed including the section between Ladram Bay and Otterton Sewage Works, Hope Cove in the South Hams is still shut after sustaining storm damage earlier in the week, and the Undercliffs section between Axmouth and Lyme Regis remains closed. Sign-posted alternative routes are in place where possible. The coast path between Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth has been affected by slumping, and a number of paths to beaches have also been affected including Bucks Mills, Woolfardisworthy and Rockham Bay, Mortehoe.
The A379 at Labrador Bends, Shaldon, has re-opened today after a private landowner felled around 30 trees which were described as “critically dangerous” and were at risk of falling.
The destroyed line, which is expected to remain closed until at least mid-march, has cut off a huge number of communities and businesses main transport link to the rest of the country.
This is estimated to be costing the South West’s Economy between £1m and £2m a day according to Tim Jones of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council.
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw called on the government for further action on the destroyed line. “[The line closure is] potentially really serious for the Devon and Cornwall economy; the government needs to ensure that it’s repaired and operable again as soon as possible.”
“But the government also needs to do a review into a long term re-routing of the line.” Mr Bradshaw added.”
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, who is due to visit the Dawlish site in the near future, confirmed that a review would be launched in commons on Wednesday.
