Clear-up operation underway following storm which battered Plymouth
A clear-up operation is now underway following the storm which battered the region late on Sunday night and early Monday morning.
Plymouth, Devon and the wider south west woke up on Monday morning to the aftermath of a storm that brought high winds and rain; leaving around 5,000 homes in Devon without power, flooding to roads, damage to trees and buildings and widespread travel disruption.
A train hit a tree near Ivybridge though there were no passengers aboard.
Power cuts hit homes in Plymouth and a number of fallen trees blocked routes in and around the city. Motorists have been advised to take extreme caution with many roads strewn with debris.
Darron Burness, head of the AA's flood rescue team, said: "The timing couldn't really be worse, potentially causing significant travel disruption on Monday morning, which is one of the busiest times on the roads.
“Strong winds and torrential rain is an unpredictable and hazardous combination, which can be quite overwhelming when you’re driving.”
Heavy rain and strong winds with gusts exceeding 80mph hit the city with a number of road closures enforced due to flooding. Police closed the Tamar Bridge for a time to high sided vehicles, caravans and motorcycles as the wind speed increased.
Travel has been widely disrupted with train and ferry services affected.
Brittany Ferries cancelled the 16:30 GMT Sunday sailing from Roscoff to Plymouth and the 23:00 from Plymouth to Roscoff, but the company says crossings are now getting back to normal.
All crossings by the Scillonian ferry from Penzance in Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly on Monday were cancelled.
South West Trains passengers have been advised not to travel on Monday with services not running until at least 010:00 GMT to allow Network Rail to check the lines. A reduced timetable is in operation with journey times extended as some trains are limited to speeds of 50mph. The train operator warned people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
First Great Western has also warned of disruption and extended journey times.
The Environment Agency currently has two flood warnings and 30 flood alerts in place for the South West. It has now lifted warnings or alerts on 29 flooding risks.
Emergency services spent the night on high alert for incidents of flash flooding and fallen trees and continue to help clear-up operations.
Devon and Cornwall Police says it received almost 250 calls for service related to weather across the region.
It said: "High winds and heavy rain hit the whole force area between midnight and 7am today, Monday, October 28, 2013. There have been around 20 road closure incidents as a result – mainly due to fallen trees and road debris.
"However, there have currently been no weather-related casualties in any incident."
Police have been working with partner agencies across the last weekend with command centres open in Exeter, Plymouth and Truro to co-ordinate response for all responders. A large number of extra police officers and staff as well as 57 members of the Special Constabulary were drafted in to support operations.
Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Taylor has led on operations throughout the weekend. She said: “It’s vital we are ready and prepared for incidents like this and our plans have been well tested this weekend and continue to be.
“We have received a large number of weather related calls, but with the efforts of police staff, officers and with the support of partners across the board, the response provided has been excellent.
“It is particularly heartening to see Specials as volunteers turning out in such numbers at very short notice.
“Our focus is now on ensuring Devon and Cornwall remains safe as the region wakes and begins to clear up.”
Police are advising motorists to be aware of potential trees and other debris littered across the region’s roads. It warns all drivers to slow their speed and increase braking distances.
The weather remains unsettled, but latest advice from the Met Office is that the worst of the weather has now passed the Devon and Cornwall region.
Live traffic information updates are available on the Highways Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic and the latest weather forecasts can be found at www.metoffice.gov.uk
National Rail Enquiries says the adverse weather may mean that some trains are delayed or cancelled, and some train operators may run amended timetables. For details visit http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/60152.aspx
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