The clear-up from yesterday’s floods is likely to take several days.
Heavy downpours left several roads across the county either impassable or closed yesterday afternoon (Sunday 17 September).
Roads that were impacted included the A375 Sidbury, A38 Burlescombe, A380 Kingskerswell/ Penn Inn, Honiton Road in Exeter, A379 Kenton, Rydon Lane in Exeter, Halberton High Street, The Strand in Dawlish, B3181 Merry Harriers, A376 Clyst St Mary to Clyst St George, Station Road in Willand.
Additional staff from our highways teams were drafted in to help respond to a number of incidents across the county as the Network Operations Control Centre received around 150 calls throughout the day.
Eight tonnes of mud were removed from the A381 at Halwell by our teams and fire crews. Fallen trees which had blocked the Teign Valley Road were removed.
There were also reports of flooded properties in a number of communities including Ashill, Budleigh Salterton, Clyst St Mary, Cullompton, Dartmouth, Exeter, Harberton, Harbertonford, Kentisbeare, Kenton and Topsham. Officers from our Flood Risk Management team will be visiting the worst affected areas to carry out reconnaissance and gain a better understanding of the event.
As part of the flood recovery operation, we’re working with local authority partners and the Environment Agency to produce a Flood Investigation Report in order to establish the scale of the damage caused by the event.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said:
“The weather was horrendous at the weekend and our teams worked flat out on Sunday to respond to issues caused by the torrential rain right across the country. Our thanks go to them for their commitment and dedication to work in all conditions.
“The recovery work is ongoing and although a lot of the water has subsided this morning, there is still a huge amount of clear-up work required and damage that needs to be repaired, so it will take some time. There may still be some issues on county’s road network which haven’t been reported to our teams so I would urge everyone who is out and about to please take extra care.”
Anyone who would like to submit information about flooding in their community should email floodrisk@devon.gov.uk
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has produced an information leaflet in partnership with the Environment Agency on what to do before, during and after flooding. Its website also has health advice and guidance for anyone cleaning up after a flood.
You can sign up for free flood warning messages from the Environment Agency’s Floodline: 0345 988 1188 or check: www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding.