Storm Bert: Devon river bursts its banks in 'worst ever' flooding

Several vehicles have been abandoned in flood water after a Devon river burst its banks during Storm Bert. Cars and trucks have been stranded in deep water in roads around Teigngrace, near Newton Abbot, after the River Teign flooded.

Pictures sent in by Daniel O’Connell, who runs the MT Tums food business, showed flood water estimated to be more than four feet in depth. They showed vehicles almost submerged.

Among them was a Toyota car which appeared to have been used by a takeaway delivery driver. Mr O’Connell speculated that the driver had attempted to motor though the flood before becoming stranded.

Mr O’Connell took the pics on the main Exeter Road running from Teigngrace village. He had to wade through deep water to take the snaps.

He said: “All I’m going to say is ‘wow’. There are vehicles trapped in the floods. This is the highest I have ever seen it.”

He said that at some points the water was four and a half feet deep. He said: “The water level is halfway up the hump-back bridge.”

Mr O’Connell took the photos and a video at the height of Storm Bert, which brought torrential rain and strong winds to Devon. Mr O’Connell said: “It’s pretty goddamn brutal. Stay safe, do not even attempt to come this way.”

The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for River Teign today. In the stretch from Chudleigh to Kingsteignton, which includes the area around Teigngrace, it has warned that properties and low lying areas around Ventiford Cottages and properties around Ventiford Bridge, School Cottages at Teigngrace, businesses at Teignbridge Level Crossing, Sandford Orleigh Farm and the Exeter Road, were likely to be the first flooded.

It issued a flood warning for Riverside properties and roads between Chudleigh and Kingsteignton, including New Bridge, Ventiford, Preston, Teigngrace, Teign Bridge and Exeter Road.

This evening it said the river level at Chudleigh Bridge Ultrasonic was 3.03m. The Environment Agency said property flooding was possible when the water went above 2.59m.

On the stretch of the river from Clifford Bridge to Chudleigh the Environment Agency said properties and low lying areas around Clifford Bridge, including the camping and caravan site, Dunsford, including The Mill and adjacent properties Bridford Mills, Christow Bridge, Lower Ashton and Crocombe Bridge, were at risk.

The flood warning area included riverside properties and roads between Clifford Bridge and Chudleigh, including Clifford Bridge, vulnerable parts of Dunsford, Bridford Mills, Christow Bridge, Doddiscombsleigh, Lower Ashton and Trusham.

The agency said this evening that the River Teign was at 2.18m at Clifford Bridge. Flooding was possible if it rose above 2.8m.

At Newton Abbot Racecourse the risk of flooding remains with vulnerable areas around the racecourse, Newton Road and Pottery Road. An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Flood waters may be deep and fast flowing in these areas. Residents are strongly urged to take action now.”

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were called to an incident at around 6am this morning, where someone had driven through floodwater and needed assistance getting out of their vehicle.

"We are experiencing widespread flooding across our Service region, due to Storm Bert, and we urge drivers to consider whether travel is absolutely necessary and to check their route on the Highway’s Agency website ahead of leaving. Just 30cm of flowing water can make a vehicle stuck or even sweep it away.

"Helpful advice about staying safe during severe weather conditions can be found on our website: Safety in severe weather conditions | Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service"