Christmas has been ruined for several families in Stoke Canon near Exeter after their homes were flooded when the Exe broke its banks.
The villagers had to be led to safety after water levels began to rise earlier today.
Christmas presents were floating among the debris in the evacucated properties.
Resident Lucy Kirk told BBC Devon: "Obviously you've lost your home and all your belongings. You're just never going to replace some of the valuables that you've had. A lot of it's upsettting."
Another resident said: "Christmas is just two days away - it's really...
Twenty people have been evacuated by emergency services in Stoke Canon near Exeter, after the River Exe burst its banks.
Devon County Council has opened a rest centre at County Hall which is being managed by Exeter City Council Housing officers with City Council volunteers and the St John Ambulance.
In true British spirit, the establishments along Exeter's Quay, many of which my family and I frequent on a regular basis, were open as normal today despite the imminent threat of flooding. With further rain and heavy showers expected into Monday, their fate depends on what the weather decides to throw at them this evening and over the next couple of days.
It was quieter out today, naturally, with many deciding to stay indoors rather than face the elements, however having seen an earlier tweet from The Prospect Inn that they were open and serving a warming roast lunch...
GB Kayak Team member Sam Anderson raised eyebrows when he took to the flood waters on the Exe this morning.
He was filmed by a TV crew battling against the torrent of water at about 8am.
When asked if what he was doing was irresponsible he said: "I've been doing this for 10 years and never got into trouble or needed the emergency services. I know what I'm doing and didn't see too much danger."
Anderson is the current British National Champion.
National media attention was focussed on Exeter today after a woman was killed by a falling tree during last night's storms.
Sky News was reporting live from the banks of the River Exe meanwhile every major newspaper website carried stories about the tragedy.
There had been anger that Devon was ignored by the London-based media during the worst of the flooding.
A frustrated Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw tweeted earlier this week: "If any other part of Britain was cut off by flooding (everything SW of Taunton) it would be on the national news!"
