Flash flooding after torrential downpours in Cornwall and Devon

Heavy rain brought flash flooding to parts of the South West overnight.

Various videos shared on social media show flooding in the streets of St Ives, Cornwall, with The Lifeboat Inn posting to say it had temporarily closed on Tuesday evening.

The business was closed at about 17:00 BST but reopened at about 20:00, posting on social media to say it would be offering a “heavily reduced menu” until closing time.

Two flood warnings were issued along the Cornish coastline by the Environment Agency (EA) on Tuesday, with six other flood alerts in place elsewhere in Devon and Cornwall.

Vanessa Fielder, owner of St Ives Jewellery Studio, said flooding began outside her shop at about 16:30.

She said the inside of her shop on Park Avenue was not affected but the water was rising onto the pathway.

“Luckily we have shutters,” she said.

Cremyll Ferry, operating between Plymouth and Cremyll, said it had cancelled all services on Tuesday evening due to a “tidal surge” at about 20:00.

A spokesperson said its last service was usually at 21:15 but with the conditions it finished at 20:45.

The flood warnings and alerts from the EA in Devon and Cornwall are in the following areas:

• South Cornwall coast from Gribbin Head to Rame Head
• South Cornwall coast from Lizard Point to Gribbin Head excluding the Tidal Fal Estuary
• South Cornwall Coast from Lands End to Lizard Point
• Tidal Fal Estuary
• Plymouth Sound, Wembury Bay and tidal estuaries

The Met Office said Wednesday would bring a broadly wet day for many, with the potential on Thursday for blustery showers to turn heavy and thundery in the South West.