Heavy rain leads to Devon and Cornwall flooding

A clean-up has started after heavy rain overnight in Devon and Cornwall led to flooding in both counties.

There have been several incidents across the region, including a family that had to be rescued by fire crews from a flooded home in Torpoint overnight, and a landslide that blocked the A379 in Modbury.

A bakery owner in Plymouth said parts of the flat above the shop had been “ruined” by flooding, while at least one family needed help to get out of their flooded home elsewhere in Devon.

In Plymouth and Looe, properties were flooded, and fire crews in Devon were called to 15 incidents overnight. “Ankle-deep water” was also reported in the Isles of Scilly.

Meanwhile, a Met Office warning for heavy rain for Devon and Cornwall until 12:00 BST was downgraded at 04:00 because the rain had cleared.

BBC Weather said parts of south Devon received more than half its monthly rainfall in 24 hours.

Torpoint Fire Station said it helped the family get out of a flooded home after being called to the property at about 00:40.

The station said deep flood water was also on the A374 between Wilcove and Antony and urged motorists to take extra care when driving in the area.

Flooding was also reported on the Isles of Scilly, with St Mary’s resident Samaya Reid saying her family had come home from a night out to find “ankle-deep water” on their road.

Ms Reid added there had been a “crazy amount of rain” between 20:30 and 21:00 on Thursday.

“When we got home, a fire engine was already there and our whole front garden was already flooded and the kids toys were floating around,” she said.

“Thankfully, it just reached the top of our step and hadn’t actually reached our front door but a few more inches of water and we’d have flooded our house.”

Modbury Fire Station said on Facebook the A379 near Harraton Cross had been blocked by a landslide.

The post said: “Please be careful while driving as there is localised flooding and debris on the road.”

Stagecoach South West said the landslide had disrupted its bus services into Modbury and a diversion had to be put in place.

The Mewstone Candle Company said it would be closed while it cleaned up the damage caused to the shop.

Its owners said other businesses in the village had also been impacted by flooding.

A Facebook post from the shop said: “This kind of event is pretty scary when you see water flooding in despite best measures.”

The Bullers Arms in Looe and King of Prussia pub in Kingsbridge both posted videos on their social media profiles showing flood water outside.

People living in Mevagissey said parts of the Cornish village had flooded, including at the junction of Tregoney Hill on St George’s Square.

Resident Pete Nelson said it looked like a storm drain cover had lifted at the site and some damage had been caused to the road.

He added: “It was around about 23:00 when it started absolutely hammering it down.

“I was like wow, I couldn’t believe it, it was so, so heavy.”

Traffic monitoring website Inrix said The Crescent in Plymouth and the A3075 near Goonhavern had both been impacted by flooding.

Trina Crawford, landlady of the Fisherman’s Arms in East Looe, said the pub’s cellar was under about 2ft (about 0.6m) of water.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said.

“It was coming down the side street off the side of the pub like a river. It was bringing bins, bricks and debris down the street.”

Carly Laughton, owner of Jacka Bakery on the Plymouth Barbican, said her daughter’s bedroom and bed above had been “ruined” by flooding.

She said she had to take the mattress to the tip this morning and pull up all the carpet.

“Her whole bedroom has been ruined,” Ms Laughton said. “The carpet has gone but the wood is saturated. I have a dehumidifier to try and dry it out.

“I think it’s going to need a couple of days of drying before putting a new carpet down.”

She said due to the business being the oldest bakery in the country, the building was “very outdated”.

“It’s listed so there isn’t a lot we can do to change these things.”

El Clarke said her kitchen flooded in the Keyham area of Plymouth on Thursday evening.

She said flooding on the street had been “waist high”.

“We are rather tired after a hectic night of frantic mopping,” she said.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said its crews and appliances attended a total of 15 flooding incidents between 00:35 and 02.34.

A spokesperson said almost all of the incidents were in the Plymouth area, with just one or two from around the Paignton and Torquay area.

BBC South West broadcast meteorologist Bee Tucker said some parts of south Devon had received more than half its monthly rainfall in 24 hours.

She said: “Plymouth recorded 54mm [2.1in] in 12 hours with many sites in south Devon and Cornwall not far behind. The average for south-west England during August is 98mm.

“While today looks slightly drier with a scattering of showers, another area of low pressure is set to bring heavy rain to the region over the weekend.