Weather woes in Devon and Cornwall as a month's rain is set to fall in 4 days
A further deluge of rain is set to bring more misery to the Westcountry as the wet winter shows little sign of abating.
Half a month's rainfall will fall on already-saturated land today following another 24 hours of torrential rain in the region.
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Some 150mm of rain – equal to more than a month's rainfall – was predicted to fall in four days from yesterday, with up to 30mm in six hours expected on Saturday.
The West has remained on flood alert during the relentlessly wet winter.
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Devon and Cornwall Police warned the public not to put themselves in danger by getting close to swollen rivers, while Devon and Somerset Fire Service warned of the dangers of driving through floodwater.
An amber warning issued by the Exeter-based Met Office remains in place today across Devon and Cornwall after heavy rain swept across in two spells.
A spokesman said: "The public must be weather-aware in the next few days, with the risks of surface and river flooding. It is very important to keep up to date with forecasts."
The heaviest rainfall yesterday was recorded at Mount Batten in Plymouth, where 23mm fell in a 12-hour period – about 20% of the average total for December.
Severe weather caused disruptions on the roads and transport networks. The airport at Land's End has closed from today until December 27 due to the contions.
In Bickleigh, Plymouth, a Polish-registered articulated lorry became jammed in a country lane yesterday after slipping on the wet road.
But the A361 in Somerset re-opened yesterday after being closed between East Lyng and Burrowbridge for four weeks due to extensive flooding.
The Environment Agency issued two flood warnings and dozens of alerts across the South West as officials continued to monitor ever-rising river levels.
A spokesman said: "The main issue is not the amount of rain but that it is falling on saturated land. There are risks of rivers flooding, surface water and travel disruption."
Blustery winds of 40mph were expected to hit the coasts overnight while temperatures remained mild at 12C. A brief respite is expected tomorrow before another pulse of rain pushes into the region on Saturday.
Insurance firm Cornish Mutual said flood claims for damage to homes and businesses are expected to exceed £300,000.
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Comments
by GlassPrison
Thursday, December 20 2012, 11:35AM
“Reprise for tomorrow, and then more rain over the weekend...!”