Council staff deal with flooding incidents

Last updated: 20/12/2012 Add to My Bookmarks Subscribe

More than 100 members of staff from Cornwall Council’s Highways, Environment and Fire and Rescue services were involved in dealing with calls related to the flooding caused by the heavy rain experienced across Cornwall over last night and into this morning.

Teams have dealt with around 60 incidents over the last 18 hours, with 50 calls received by the Council’s customer contact centre since 8am. The majority of these have related to surface water flooding on some roads, with other calls relating to flooding of individual properties and some minor landslips.

Specialist swift water rescue technicians from Bude Fire Station were called to the aid of a driver who had become trapped in flood water at Rodds Bridge near Lower Upton, Bude.

It appears the man became trapped after driving over a humpback bridge crossing the Bude Canal. The man managed to get out of his car, but as he was surrounded by fast flowing and rising water, he called the fire service for help. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the swift water rescue team reached the man and escorted him to safety.

Members of the public are being advised to avoid driving though roads which have been flooded, as this could not only be dangerous for drivers, but could also create waves which could push flood water into people’s homes and businesses.

The main incidents include:

Flooding incidents ( property / business premises etc) :

Tywardreath – small landslip
Mevagissey
Heamoor
Newlyn Bridge
Bugle – Bowling Green
Gunwalloe
St Keverne
Porthhallow
Gorran Haven
Polbathic
St Day
Altarnun
Launceston
Cornish Market Road, Par
Mevagissey –minor landslip
Lerryn – 2 minor landslips

Surface water flooding on roads:

St Blazey
Trethowell
A30 Canonstown and St Erth
A390 Britannia
B3275 Pentewan ( possible landslip)
Seaton
A274 Torpoint
A387 Sandplace
Mullion
St Stephens
St Buryan
Michaelstow
Baldhu Chapel
Townsend / Fraddam B3302
Coads Green B3257
Leedstown B3280
Glynn Valley - A38
Sladesbridge
Washaway
Fraddon
Stenalees
Quintrell Downs / Kestle Mill
B3280 to Goldsithney off of the Marazion By Pass (A394)
Sweetshouse / Lostwithiel
Splatt (Wadebridge)
A3078 Tregony to St Mawes
A39 Perranarworthal
Hayle to Leedstown at Fraddam
Polperro

Crews from Highways, Environment and the Fire and Rescue service are continuing to deal with these incidents. Please contact Cornwall Council on 0300 1234 100 with specific flooding reports.

The latest reports from the MET Office and the EA state that around 60 mm of rainfall has fallen over night and this morning. Flood warnings are in place for the Rivers Cober. Hayle, Tresillian, Neet, Upper Tamar, Ottery, Kensey, Mid Tamar and Lower Tamar. There is still an Amber rainfall warning in place until 3pm. The rain is then due to clear from West Cornwall. Friday is expected to be a mainly dry day.

However further heavy rain is expected on Saturday, Sunday and Monday – with an average of between 15 to 25mm , and the possibility of up to 30 mm over hills and moors. As this is already falling on saturated ground, there is the possibility of further localised flooding in some areas.

All the agencies are continuing to monitor the situation and will react to incidents as required.

During last month’s flooding a number of householders reported difficulties in obtaining sandbags when the severe weather affected their local area. As neither the Council nor the Environment Agency has a statutory duty to provide sandbags, anyone whose property is prone to flooding should ensure they have a supply of sandbags ready to protect their home or business should they need to. Local communities are also encouraged to check with vulnerable neighbours in case they need help with obtaining flood protection materials.

Sandbags can be obtained from builders merchants, DIY and hardware stores. Anyone who is unsure if their property is at risk can check on the environment agency website or call the floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Anyone with responsibility for community Christmas lights and decorations should ensure they are properly secured against strong winds and consider turning off Christmas lights if the weather deteriorates. We would also advise checking for any damp or damage before turning them back on. Any problems should be dealt with by a qualified electrician.

For further advice on preparing for flooding visit the environment agency website or the Cornwall Council website.

Story posted 20 December 2012