UNRELENTING rain has led to more flooding chaos in Sidmouth for the second time in just four days.

Roads across the county were flooded or rendered impassable after the heavy rainfall last night.

Devon County Council heard reports of numerous properties being flooded, particularly in Exmouth, Topsham, Feniton and Tiverton.

A Rest Centre in Cullompton was set up for residents needing to evacuate their homes.

Calls from the public to the Council’s Control Centre increased significantly after 7:30pm, when it became clear that this had become a major event.

Many residents in Newton Abbot, Kingsteighnton, Topsham, Exmouth, Sidmouth, Feniton, Tiverton, and across the South Hams reported problems.

Homes in New Street, Imperial Road, Halsdon Road, Exmouth; Ferry Road in Tophsam; Lime Tree Mead and Atherton Way in Tiverton, were flooded.

Roads flooded and impassable included:

A376 Exmouth to Exeter, closed due to flooding in Exon, Ebford, Lympstone and Clyst St George.

A3052 Newton Poppleford at Goosemoor and Four Elms, impassable due to flooding and land slips. And at the Blue Ball, Sidford.

A377 flooded to a depth of over 0.5 metres at Hookway, Smallbrook and Tesco roundabout, Crediton.

A379, flooded and impassable at Kenton and Dawlish.

A361 North Devon Link Road, Bolham to Heathcoat Way, closed due to flooding.

A375 Sidmouth, flooding and closed , and at Sidbury.

A382 Mortonhampstead. 3 feet of flood water closed the road.

A3072 Bow, flooded either side of the village. And a very large tree fell down, but which has since been removed this morning.

A396 was closed at Stoke Canon and Bickleigh.

A358 Weycroft closed due to flooding.

A380 flooding at Splatford Split

A373 Honiton to Cullompton, flooding in various locations.

A3121 Modbury closed due to flooding.

A383 Hele Park closed due to flooding.

The Highways Agency experienced problems with the A38, closed at Deepway.

The M5, junctions 25 to 26 closed due to flooding.

A30 Honiton closed due to flooding.

Most roads this morning are becoming passable, with flood waters receeding. But the Council is advising caution, as many roads will still have large quantities of debris remaining.

Part of the flood wall in Sidmouth collapsed near the Ford, and and a precaution the footbridge will remain closed until inspected.

Western Way in Exeter will remain closed throughout most of the day to permit a police investigation following a fatality last night, when a tree and wall collapsed.

Water levels on the Grand Western Canal are continuing to be monitored.

The Council’s contractors, South West Highways, has teams out scouting the network.

Flood warnings are still in place, although rivers have generally peaked.

The Council’s Control Centre is continuing to take calls this morning. The Council’s advice is still:

•To avoid non essential travel after dark

•Don’t proceed into flood water

•Drive with caution – be aware of breaking distances and surface water

•Stay up to date with weather and flood related news from the Environment Agency and Met Office. And listen to local radio stations for weather updates.

• SEND your flood photos to stefan.gordon@archant.co.uk