Flood warning as Devon and Cornwall brace for heavy rain and winds

Devon and Cornwall are set to be buffeted by heavy winds and rain tomorrow with yellow warnings for the two counties - and the possibility of flooding. The Exeter-based Met Office has put a yellow warning for wind and rain in place for large areas of the UK with a 12-hour warning for parts of the South West,

The yellow wind warning affects all of Devon, all of Cornwall and extends into Somerset and Gloucestershire. It comes into effect at 6am tomorrow and lasts until 6pm.

People are being told to expect strong winds that may lead to disruption. There could be delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport, with bus and train services possibly affected and a warning that some journeys may take longer than expected.

The Met Office also said that short-term poser cuts are possible and there could be delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges.

Meanwhile, a yellow warning for rain has been issued for a large part of Devon and Cornwall extending from Exeter to near Truro and up to North Devon and Torquay, and encompassing Plymouth. The warning comes into force at 9am and lasts until 9pm with the Met Office saying: “Heavy rain could possibly lead to localised flooding and some disruption. Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible.”

It said bus and train services will probably be affected with spray and flooding on roads “probably making journey times longer”.

The rain is forecast to arrive in Cornwall first, reaching South East Cornwall by 9am and becoming more steady throughout the day. It will become especially heavy and persistent from 4pm and won’t ease off until about 10pm.

Winds will begin to build from 6am, reaching 22mph by 10am and not easing off until 6pm, declining throughout the evening. Gusts will increase too, peaking at 47mph at 1pm

In Plymouth the rain is due to hit the city at 9am too and get worse throughout the morning, with an 80% chance of rain at 11am. It will be heaviest from 4pm, peaking between 6pm and 9pm when it will be heavy and persistent.

Winds will build throughout the night and morning and rise to 21mph by 1pm, with gusts of up to 48mph buffeting the city, staying like that until 6pm, with 49mph gusts at about 5pm. The wind will die down in the evening, from 8pm onwards.

The rain will arrive in Exeter, which is at the edge of the yellow warning area, at 11am stay all afternoon, becoming heavy and particularly persistent from 5pm and lasting until midnight. Winds will build through the morning hitting a high of 20mph between 2pm and 4pm, before easing throughout the evening.

It will be gusty in Exeter, however, with gusts at more than 41mph from 10am to 7pm, peaking with 45mph gusts expected at about 5pm.

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