Flooding and travel disruption for South West as Storm Bram hits

Flood and travel warnings have been issued amid heavy rain and strong winds caused by Storm Bram.

Fire services said they were dealing with weather-related incidents, the council said road closures were in place and Great Western Railway advised passengers to plan ahead of their journeys.

BBC South West broadcast meteorologist Bee Tucker said the effects of Storm Bram were felt across the region on Monday evening and into Tuesday morning as heavy rain and strong winds battered the region.

She said: “Around 90mm (3.5 inches) of rain has already fallen on Dartmoor in the last 24 hours, with more expected today.

“Gusts of 50-60mph are likely throughout the day, with the south coast of Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly bearing the brunt of the winds.”

She said the amber weather warning for parts of Devon remained in force until 10:00 GMT with yellow wind and rain warnings in place until 16:00 on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said two people had been rescued from the roof of their car after it got stuck in floodwater at about 06:45 GMT in Teigngrace, Devon.

They confirmed the two people were “safe and well”.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said at about 08:15 it was currently dealing with incidents across the County relating to the adverse weather and high tides.

Great Western Railway urged customers to check their journey and to consider making alternative arrangements as it expects flooding to “significantly affect” its services on Tuesday.

Devon County Council said high winds and heavy rain were causing “difficult travel conditions.

It said: “Please take care, expect fallen trees, debris and flooding, especially near rivers and the coast.”

Jen Murphy from the council’s highways control team said flooding was impacting the A39 Watersmeet Road in Lynton and the Hillhead down to Kingswear routes.

She said tree surgeons had been sent to Loddiswell to deal with fallen trees and there was fluvial flooding – where a river has burst its banks – on the A384.

“One of the main things we would urge people to not do is drive through the floodwater where we have a lot of that fluvial flooding,” Ms Murphy said.

“A lot of it’s fast flowing so there’s no way of knowing how deep it is or what sort of debris might be in it.

“We urge people to take care in places like that where roads are close to rivers and think about their routes and plan their routes.”

She advised people to call the emergency services if there was an immediate danger to life and to contact the council over road obstructions.

The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings across Devon and Cornwall, including the Plymouth Sound, River Dart and the south Cornwall coast.

The warnings include:

• Plymouth Sound, Wembury Bay and tidal estuaries
• River Avon
• River Axe
• River Dart
• River Plym
• River Teign
• River Yealm
• South Cornwall coast
• South Devon coast

BBC reporter David Dixon is at Porthleven, Cornwall and said waves were “pounding” the harbour.

“The outer harbour looks as if the sea is boiling,” he said.

“There are huge waves pounding into the jetty causing massive sprays and as you look out towards the institute, there’s waves coming right over the road.

“I would avoid the other side of the harbour and as you look out towards the Loe Bar and Lizard, there are massive waves.”

“The wind is coming from the sea so it’s pushing the spray right over the town and over towards the Lizard.”

He advised people to keep a safe distance.