Devon flood alerts as Storm Eowyn batters county

Flood alerts are in place across parts of Devon following a battering from Storm Eowyn. The Environment Agency (EA) is warning people to "be prepared" as flooding is possible in the county.

The alerts are in place in the River Teign area and the Rivers Clyst and Culm and their tributaries. There is also an alert for the River Axe area.

The EA says that heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours has caused river levels to rise. They are expected to remain high throughout the weekend.

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Residents are advised to avoid low-lying roads and footpaths. The EA will continue to monitor the situation over the weekend.

River Teign flood alert

The EA said: "Rainfall that has fallen in this area in the last 24 hours has caused river levels to rise. We expect river levels to remain high throughout the rest of Friday and into Saturday.

"Further heavy rain is forecast for Sunday which may cause river levels to rise again. We are constantly monitoring river levels and will update this message on Saturday or earlier if the situation changes."

Flood alert area: Rivers Teign, Bovey and Lemon and coastal streams from Babbacombe to Kenton.

Flood alert for Rivers Clyst and Culm and their tributaries

The EA said: "Rainfall that has fallen in this area in the last 24 hours has caused river levels to rise. We expect river levels to remain high throughout the rest of Friday and into Saturday.

"Further heavy rain is forecast for Sunday which may cause river levels to rise again. We are constantly monitoring river levels and will update this message on Saturday or earlier if the situation changes."

Flood alert area: Hemyock, Cullompton, Stoke Canon, Broadclyst and Clyst St Mary areas.

Flood alert for River Axe area

The EA said: "Rainfall that has fallen in this area in the last 24 hours has caused river levels to rise. We expect river levels to remain high throughout the rest of Friday and into Saturday.

"Further heavy rain is forecast for Sunday which may cause river levels to rise again. We are constantly monitoring river levels and will update this message on Saturday or earlier if the situation changes."

Flood alert area: Rivers Axe, Coly, Yarty, Umborne Brook and coastal streams from Branscombe to Axmouth.

The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for the whole of Devon on Sunday (January 26). The Exeter-based forecaster expects heavy rain to lead to some local flooding.

They said: "A period of heavy rain is likely to affect central and southern England and much of Wales during Sunday morning followed by some heavy, thundery showers. Quite widely, 10-20 mm will fall, with locally nearer 30-50 mm over high ground, particularly over exposed south or southeast-facing upslopes.

"It's then possible that a further spell of heavy rain may develop and affect parts of England and Wales on Sunday evening, clearing early Monday and should this be the case a few places may see as much as 80 mm of rainfall in total. Given recent heavy rain, this extra rainfall could lead to some local surface water and river flooding."

Met Office five-day forecast for the South West

This Evening and Tonight: A band of squally showers will move quickly east this evening, these heavy at times. Becoming mainly dry overnight with clear spells. Feeling cold with some icy stretches possible by dawn. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

Saturday: A mainly dry day with lengthy sunny periods, but showers are possible around western coasts with a band of heavier showers arriving later. Freshening winds during the afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday: Another wet and windy spell on Sunday with gales in places and some heavy rain possible. Remaining changeable and windy on Monday and Tuesday with showers. Temperatures close to average.