Flash flooding as thunder storms batter parts of England

Heavy storms have caused flash flooding and widespread disruption across swathes of England.

Witnesses reported “torrential” rain in Devon, with walls of water appearing following an afternoon deluge.

Firefighters responded to multiple call-outs in parts of Somerset, where some roads were left unpassable.

A thunderstorm warning covering the south and south west, East Anglia and parts of the Midlands is in force until about 22:00 BST.

Tipton St John Primary School and Woodbury Salterton Primary School, both near Exeter, were impacted during storms, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.

Devon County Council’s highways bosses added there were problems in Exeter “due to flooding and stuck vehicles”.

In Somerset, social media posts showed roads in Bruton and Wincanton were impassable and transport services had been affected.

Similar conditions were reported in parts of Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Essex.

Chilterns Railways reported cancellations and hour-long delays, while fellow operator Greater Anglia cancelled services between Cambridge and King’s Lynn because of “severe weather”.

Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said: “Showers over the next few days could be heavy with the risk of thunder and hail.

“In fact, through Tuesday evening there is a warning for thunderstorms across the south east.

“So you could run into some heavy bursts through the next few hours before that risk eases.”

She added that the risk of thunder and hail persists through Wednesday and Thursday.

Michelle Teissier, landlady of the Golden Lion in Tipton St John, said the River Otter burst its banks and water started rising at about 14:20.

“A couple by a window asked if the water outside was normal. We said it wasn’t, and it just started to rise and rise.

“It got knee-high on the road and was half-way up out kitchen door,” she said.

She added people had still been trying to drive through the village when the water was high, although it started to subside by about 17:10.

“All our carpets were hit and there’s salt everywhere, although we managed to raise the chairs.

“Hopefully, it’ll be just dehumidifiers and cleaning so we can try and open as quickly as we can.”

Grace Whiteman, who runs Pride Hair Studio in Newton Poppleford, said: “I’ve lived here my whole life and sort of around this area and I’ve never seen it like that.”

Hilary Penfold, also in Newton Poppleford, said a 6ft (1.8m) high concrete wall and a brick outbuilding were demolished by water running off fields, which also jammed their car against a wall.

She said: “It was like a big tidal wave coming down. Nothing could stop it.

“I’ve only seen such storm damage on films. I’ve never seen anything like this for real, and I wouldn’t want anyone to go through it.”

Parents of children at Tipton St John Primary School were told they should not go to the school because of flooded roads, it was reported on social media.

Staff said the children were kept safe and they worked to keep them calm.

Alex Wren saw some children being given piggy-back rides to keep them out of the water.

He described “torrential force” water as the “worst I’ve seen living here for 18 years”.

Sections of Honiton Road and Sidmouth Road in Exeter were blocked due to flooding and stranded vehicles

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it received “widespread” calls for help due to flooding from about 13:00 BST.

It said there had been several vehicles flooded and stranded in Newton Poppleford as well as the local Methodist Church.

Five homes were flooded in Honiton Road in Exeter, with 2ft (60cm) of water outside and 1ft (30cm) of water inside.

Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.

Related Topics