Storm Chandra hits Devon

Heavy rain causes travel chaos

Just days after the region was impacted by Storm Ingrid, wetter and windier conditions have made landfall.

The relentless downpours from Storm Chandra have triggered nearly 100 flood warnings across the region, with Devon bearing the brunt of the impact. 

National Highways is warning people to plan and only travel if necessary, as several major routes are impassable:

A30: Closed in both directions near Exeter Airport because to significant flooding
A303: Closed along the Devon and Somerset border between Upottery and Horton Cross
A35: Flooding has also been reported on the A35 near Dorchester, further complicating travel between the counties
Rail: Coastal services remain suspended, with the vulnerable line at Dawlish once again under fire from massive waves hitting sea defences

Meanwhile, there is significant surface water and areas of flooding on the road network in East and Mid Devon this morning.

Police are asking people in this area to avoid driving unless it is essential, below are the affected roads:

• A30 Daisy Mount – Both directions
• A30 – Closed either end of Honiton
• Newton Abbot-Grenhill
• Paignton-Dartmouth Road
• London Road, Cranbrook Junction at Gribble Lane
• A3052 Clyst St Mary, both approach at Cat and Fiddle and approach from Clyst St.George
• A377 – Impassable at Downes and Newton St. Cyres
• A303 Upottery
• B3177 Iron Bridge
• A382 Wray Barton
• A396 Stoke Canon
• B3181 Five Bridges, Cullompton
• A379 Station Road, Dawlish 
• A3052 Boshill Hill
• A358 Weycroft Bridge

The Met Office in Exeter upgraded alerts to an Amber warning for rain across southern and eastern Devon today.

The storm has dumped a punishing 40mm to 80mm of rainfall onto ground already saturated by previous systems.

Repair crews were already battling to fix the "floating tarmac" at Torcross following last week’s damage; however, Chandra’s arrival has halted those recovery efforts and forced further closures on vital local arteries.

Councillor Julian Brazil, Leader of Devon County Council, warned that this cycle of extreme weather is exposing "decades of under-investment" in the county's sea defences and drainage systems.

As the storm continues to move through, council leaders are reiterating their plea for government support to help the region recover from the damage of three consecutive major storms.