Cornwall Hit by Flash Floods

In Europe, Floods & Storms, News Headlines

People have been rescued from their homes after heavy rain and gale-force winds led to heavy flooding.

Devon and Cornwall police said it was dealing with a “major flooding incident” after heavy rain overnight around St Austell, Cornwall. There have been no reports of serious injuries but people are being advised not to travel.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: “Emergency services and partner agencies in Cornwall are dealing with incidents of flooding in parts of the county.

“Due to heavy rainfall overnight, parts of mid and north Cornwall have been affected by serious flooding. Areas of St Austell and St Blazey are impassable and people have been trapped in their cars and homes.

“Members of HM Coastguard and search and rescue helicopters were used throughout the night to monitor the situation but have since been stood down. At this time, there are no known casualties.”

Barry Green, owner of Lostwithiel Bakery, said the flood had “pretty much destroyed” his shop.

The 46-year-old was working at the Quay Street bakery when the water raged through the premises.

He said: “It all kicked off at about 5.15am when I heard a bubbling outside in the drains. I was up at 3am and everything was fine. I had to quickly get the stock high up off the floor and call the floodlines to let them know we had a problem.

“Within three or four minutes it was knee high. One minute it was just lapping at the front door with no problem and I was just lifting a few boxes then I opened the front door and it just came pouring through. The speed of it was very, very surprising.”

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “This is a serious incident and our thoughts are with those people whose homes have flooded. The Environment Agency has deployed teams to check river flood defences and to assist emergency services with the recovery process.”

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