Devon works taking place as heavy rainfall set to hit

The Environment Agency has been clearing debris from Holbeam Dam in Newton Abbot
-Credit:Environment Agency


The Environment Agency has been preparing a dam in Devon to withstand heavy rainfall this weekend. The government department said its teams have been clearing debris from Holbeam Dam in Newton Abbot to help reduce the risk of flooding.

In a post shared on X, formerly Twitter, the Environment Agency (EA) said: "Our teams are out on the ground clearing debris from screens at the Holbeam Dam, #NewtonAbbot in preparation for heaving rainfall across #Devon and #Cornwall tomorrow. This is to help reduce the risk of #flooding."

It comes after the Met Office issued yet another yellow weather warning for the region, in the wake of Storm Eowyn. The rain warning will be in place from 8am on Sunday (January 26) until 6am on Monday (January 27). Forecasters have predicted that spells of heavy rain may lead to localised flooding.

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The Environment Agency has been clearing debris from Holbeam Dam in Newton Abbot
The Environment Agency has been clearing debris from Holbeam Dam in Newton Abbot -Credit:Environment Agency

It is thought that some places may see up to 80mm of rain tomorrow, adding to the recent rainfall and posing a risk of floods. The Met Office added that there is a small chance of fast flowing, or deep floodwater which may pose a danger to life.

The Exeter-based weather forecasters have also warned of widespread disruption at the start of next week, when a new yellow warning for wind will be in place from 6am on Monday (January 27) until 6am Tuesday (January 28).

Following Storm Eowyn, which battered the UK on Friday (January 24), the EA said that heavy rainfall had caused river levels to rise. It added that they were expected to remain high throughout the weekend, so people should "be prepared" for possible flooding.