Flooding In Devon and Cornwall

Residents in Helston have spent the night at a rest centre- as the River Cober burst its banks, threatening to flood properties. A number of roads across Devon and Cornwall have closed due to flooding.

Police have evacuated people from their homes in a Cornwall town as rising river levels threaten to flood their properties.

Residents were led to safety in Helston after the River Cober rose rapidly following heavy rainfall. 

The Environment Agency said widespread flooding of properties was ``imminent'', and has a severe flood warning - its highest level, meaning there is a danger to life - in place for St Johns Road, St Johns Close, Coronation Park and Loe Pool in the town.

Cornwall Council said it was opening a rest centre at Epworth Hall in Coinagehall Street, and that fire services in the area were prioritising emergency calls to those where life was at risk. 

In Cornwall many roads are flooded, resulting in a busy night for the emergency services

Fire crews had been called to about 70 flood-related incidents across Cornwall since midnight, the council said. Crews have attended incidents at St Austell, Lostwithiel, Looe, Helston, Hayle, Torpoint, Penzance, Probus, Durgan, Millbrook, St Columb and St Just. 

Large amounts of surface water has been reported on roads in Cornwall as more rain lashes the county. The A39 at Perranarworthal has been closed due to flooding, Cornwall Council said, while there are reports that the B3247 between Millbrook and Kingsand is impassable. Two lanes of the A38 at Trerulefoot are closed due to flooding.

Rail services between Par and Newquay and Liskeard and Looe because of flooding. 

A number of Devon's main routes have been closed this morning because of heavy rai and flooding overnight. 

The Plymouth area is the worst affected in Devon- The A374 Gydnina way has been closed in both directions, Shapters road is closed, Sutton road and The Crescent are also closed due to flooding. The B3416 Plymouth road at Plympton is closed.

Rail replacement buses are running between Plymouth and Taunton, because of flooding at Teignmouth and Exeter St Davids- firefighters worked through the night at Cowley Bridge to try to help prevent floodwater affecting the line.

In Colebrook seven homes were evacuated and in Plympton 15 people were evacuated after the river Long Brook burst its banks but there was no damage to property.