Homes flooded after heavy rain wreaks havoc

A satellite image showing clouds covering Great Britain as a severe flood warning was issued Credit: PA

Up to 40 homes in Yealmpton near Plymouth have been affected by flooding after a month's worth of rain fell across Devon overnight.The River Yealm burst its banks and flooded neighbouring properties. Police cordoned off the area whilst fire crews and mountain rescue teams helped flooded residents from their homes.Several cars were also reported to have been swept away by flood waters in nearby Aveton Gifford.Roads have been closed across Devon, and on the railways flooding at Totnes caused CrossCountry and First Great Western services to be delayed.

The latest from the Environment Agency is that a severe flood warning still in place for the River Axe at Axminster and the River Bride at Burton Bradstock in Dorset, but the severe warning for the Yealm is no longer in place.

Heavy rain will continue to affect parts of South West England today. People are being urged to stay away from dangerous flood water, and not to walk or drive through it.

Flood information is being updated every 15 minutes on the Environment Agency's website