Lizard, Penryn, Falmouth and Truro on flood alert: LATEST (From Falmouth Packet)

Lizard, Penryn, Falmouth and Truro on flood alert: LATEST

4:00pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in News

Flooding hits Cornwall: CLICK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES

Update: Heavy rain last night saw Penryn’s Rebel Brewing Company taking on water.

Water poured off the waterlogged fields surrounding the company’s headquarters on the Kernick Industrial Estate.

Writing on its Facebook and Twitter profiles, the company said: “SS Rebel Brewing is taking on water due to the fields behind us being flooded. If this doesn't stop soon we're in trouble!”

It added that emergency sandbags were on their way but “this could get soggy.”

Updating later, the company added that the hops and malt used to make its beer were fortunately upstairs and dry, but it was a different matter downstairs.

“I hate to break it to you but we've sandbagged everything we can, now it's a waiting game.

“If only there was somewhere to pump it to. All the drains are backed up and the surrounding area is flooded too,” added the company.

Thankfully by this morning the water had subsided, leaving only a small puddle.

Brewer Ross Kessell told the Packet: “Everything was fine this morning. It did come in quite far but we’re alright now. It subsided overnight – we’re very happy.”

He added there was no damage caused by last night’s scare.

UPDATE 9.29pm

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has received 50 calls since 6pm, with around 70 firefighters currently dealing with flooding incidents.

Cornwall Council says there are further reports of flooding between Camborne and Praze, and Gweek to Constantine. 

A spokesperson for the council said: "Please drive carefully if you have to travel this evening."

Live travel updates here

UPDATE 9.20pm

The Environment Agency has put the River Cober in Helston on a flood warning this evening.

Although this currently remains a standard warning, rather than the "severe" warning issued during the flooding just before Christmas, residents are still advised that flooding is expectant and "immediate action is required."

According to Packet reader Jake Riding the river is close to breaking point.

This is one of three flood warnings in the county issued this evening, with others for the River Tresillian at Ladock and Bolingey Stream from Bolingey to Perranporth.

UPDATE 9.14pm

The Lizard road is reported to be flooded in several places between Mullion Holiday Park and Helston, with one Packet reader describing it as "like driving along an assault course avoiding the flooding and the rats that keep crossing the road."

UPDATE 9.03pm

More than 15 hours of rain has left Cornwall's rivers at breaking point this evening, with many reports of flooding on roads and in coastal areas.

Newlyn is among the worst affected, with the river already having broken its banks. The nearby carpark is underwater and residents are being warned to take action, with fears that the major flooding at the end of last year could be repeated.

Elsewhere in the county, there is flooding on A39 in Perranarworthal at the Norway Inn, where the road has been closed.

On the A394 there is flooding in both directions at Breage, at the junction with the B3304.

The road is just passable on the A30 between Redruth and A3075, because of rain and flooding, and drivers are warned to approach with care.

UPDATE 4.05pm

There are reports that the drains in Falmouth town centre have reached capacity and are now struggling to cope with the continuing rainfall. 

Gale force winds are also expected

There is heavy surface water and small 'rivers' running down hills. 

Do you have any weather photos? Email them to editorial@packetseries.co.uk

You can keep up to date with the latest weather news and travel news here.

The Met Office has a amber alert in place, saying, "Rain will become heavy and prolonged on Thursday night, persisting through much of Friday.

"The public should be prepared for localised flooding and disruption to travel."

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The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Lizard, Penryn, Falmouth, Truro, Ladock, Tresillian and Grampound.

Flood status last changed at  12:23 on March 21.

Latest Information:
Heavy rainfall is expected across the area. Between 30 and 50 mm is forecast, with higher localised totals possible. Catchments are already wet, so rivers and streams are very sensitive to rainfall. Flooding is possible. This flood alert has been issued based on a rainfall forecast. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will update this information by 6pm.