More than 100 members of staff from Cornwall Council’s Highways, Environment and Fire and Rescue services were involved in dealing with calls related to the flooding caused by the heavy rain experienced across Cornwall over last night and into this morning.

Teams have dealt with around 60 incidents over the last 18 hours, with 50 calls received by the Council’s customer contact centre since 8am. The majority of these have related to surface water flooding on some roads, with other calls relating to flooding of individual properties and some minor landslips. Specialist swift water rescue technicians from Bude Fire Station were called to the aid of a driver who had become trapped in flood water at Rodds Bridge near Lower Upton, Bude.

It appears the man became trapped after driving over a humpback bridge crossing the Bude Canal. The man managed to get out of his car, but as he was surrounded by fast flowing and rising water, he called the fire service for help. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the swift water rescue team reached the man and escorted him to safety.

Members of the public are being advised to avoid driving though roads which have been flooded, as this could not only be dangerous for drivers, but could also create waves which could push flood water into people’s homes and businesses.

The main incidents include:

Flooding incidents ( property / business premises etc) • Tywardreath – small landslip • Mevagissey • Heamoor • Newlyn Bridge • Bugle – Bowling Green • Gunwalloe • St Keverne Porthhallow • Gorran Haven • Polbathic • St Day • Altarnun • Launceston • Cornish Market Road, Par • Mevagissey –minor landslip • Lerryn – 2 minor landslips.

Surface water flooding on roads • St Blazey • Trethowell • A30 Canonstown and St Erth • A390 Britannia • B3275 Pentewan ( possible landslip) • Seaton • A274 Torpoint • A387 Sandplace • Mullion • St Stephens • St Buryan • Michaelstow • Baldhu Chapel • Townsend / Fraddam B3302 • Coads Green B3257 • Leedstown B3280 • Glynn Valley - A38 • Sladesbridge • Washaway • Fraddon • Stenalees • Quintrell Downs / Kestle Mill • B3280 to Goldsithney off of the Marazion By Pass (A394) • Sweetshouse / Lostwithiel • Splatt (Wadebridge) • A3078 Tregony to St Mawes • A39 Perranarworthal • Hayle to Leedstown at Fraddam • Polperro Crews from Highways,

Environment and the Fire and Rescue service are continuing to deal with these incidents. Please contact Cornwall Council on 0300 1234 100 with specific flooding reports.

The latest reports from the MET Office and the EA state that around 60 mm of rainfall has fallen over night and this morning. Flood warnings are in place for the Rivers Cober. Hayle, Tresillian, Neet, Upper Tamar, Ottery, Kensey, Mid Tamar and Lower Tamar.

There is still an Amber rainfall warning in place until 3pm. The rain is then due to clear from West Cornwall. Friday is expected to be a mainly dry day. However further heavy rain is expected on Saturday, Sunday and Monday – with an average of between 15 to 25mm across Cornwall, and the possibility of up to 30 mm over hills and moors. As this rainfall is already falling on saturated ground, there is the possibility of further localised flooding in some areas.

All the agencies are continuing to monitor the situation and will react to incidents as required.

A copuncil spokesman said: "During last month’s flooding a number of householders reported difficulties in obtaining sandbags when the severe weather affected their local area. As neither the Council nor the Environment Agency has a statutory duty to provide sandbags, anyone whose property is prone to flooding should ensure they have a supply of sandbags ready to protect their home or business should they need to. Local communities are also encouraged to check with vulnerable neighbours in case they need help with obtaining flood protection materials.

"Sandbags can be obtained from builders merchants, DIY and hardware stores. Anyone who is unsure if their property is at risk can check on the environment agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call the floodline on 0845 988 1188.

The spokesman added: "Anyone with responsibility for community Christmas lights and decorations should ensure they are properly secured against strong winds and consider turning off Christmas lights if the weather deteriorates. We would also advise checking for any damp or damage before turning them back on. Any problems should be dealt with by a qualified electrician."

For further advice on preparing for flooding visit the environment agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk or the Cornwall Council website at www.cornwall.gov.uk/flooding.