Before and after pictures: flood waters recede across the South West

Credit: ITV West Country

Water levels are finally beginning to fall across the South West after almost 4 inches of rain fell in just 48 hours.

Our reporters have been revisiting the worst hit spots.

  • Hartcliffe

Whitchurch Lane in Hartcliffe was more like a swimming pool than a road yesterday morning.

One resident described how she became trapped in her car by the rising waters.

This morning, those submerged cars were finally freed from the flood.

Bristol City Council is clearing the drains, allowing the water to flow away.

Credit: ITV West Country
  • Chew Magna

Villagers in Chew Magna had a nervous day yesterday watching the river levels creep higher and higher.

The water was right at the top of the bridge arch - with only flood barriers keeping the deluge back from people's homes.

Credit: ITV West Country

But what a difference a day makes! Our reporter Rob Murphy went down there this morning, and the full arch of the stone bridge is now visible above the river.

The calm after the storm... Credit: ITV West Country
  • The calm after the storm?

Of course, not everything is so easily solved.

The West Country is still feeling the impact of the sudden surge of surface water right across the region.