Wild weather and floods return (From Falmouth Packet)

7:19pm

Oh, and keep an eye on our live travel updates for news as and when it is released.

http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/li/traffic_and_travel.in.Cornwall/

6:52pm

This is your live update reporter Jonathan signing off for a while. (I am going to try and make it home to Port Navas without incident.)

If you are aheading out onto the roads this evening, only go if you must, and be careful.

Any further major updates will be posted on this live article. Keep checking back.

If anyone has images or video of the flood, or info to help others stay safe, email jonathan.millar@packetseries.co.uk or send us a tweet @jonnyatsea or @packetnewspapers.

6:22pm

6:21pm

Latest Report: ALL roads between Truro and Falmouth gridlocked because of A39 closure between Devoran and Treluswell through Perranarworthal. Avoid if poss.

Cornwall Council say the A39 is likely to be closed until at least 9pm.

Report from the scene: "Police stopping all traffic at both ends of Frog Lane now. Kennal is over the banks (and road) at Stickenbridge (next to the laybay with the fruit and veg stands). They're worried the damns at Devachois woods are about to go which will bury the A39. "

5:56pm

For those making their way out of Falmouth and Penryn, traffic is reported to be backed up nearly to Asda. Diversions are in place due to flooding near the Norway Inn, but traffic is moving slowly.

5:52pm

5:50pm

5:39pm

For all those lucky enough to be heading home from work, take care out there.

Serious traffic distruption between Falmouth and Truro due to flooding near the Norway Inn, (although the pub is still open I am told).

Diversions through the small lanes are in place, but the roads are very busy so delays are expected.

5:14pm

5:13pm

4:58pm

4:48pm

UPDATE from Cornwall Council:

Members of the multi agency group set up to lead the clean up operation in Cornwall are continuing to work with people affected by the flooding.

The recovery group, which was set up by Cornwall Council on Monday 26 November, includes representatives of the council’s emergency management, adult care and support, fire and rescue, public health and protection, localism and highways services, as well as health partners, the Environment Agency, the major utility companies and Devon and Cornwall Police.

With around 100 properties flooded across Cornwall over the weekend, the Council has organised drop-in centres for this evening, where specialist teams will be on hand with advice and support.

Drop-in centres will be taking place between 5pm and 7pm tonight at:
• Orchard Room, The Trinity Hall, Chywoon Hill, Newlyn
• Scout Hall, Fore Street, Millbrook
• Polperro Village Hall, The Coombes, Polperro
• Jubilee Hall, Mevagissey

It is likely that there will be further community drop-in centres tomorrow evening – more information will be available tomorrow.

A special fund has also been launched by the Cornwall Community Foundation for people wanting to donate money to help the victims of the flood. Visit www.justgiving.com/cornwallemergencyfund 

And if you want to offer help and support to flood-hit communities, contact Volunteer Cornwall – enquiries@volunteercornwall.org.uk or 01872 265307

Advice for residents who have been affected by flooding includes:
• Get an approved service engineer to check your property utilities (gas, electricity and water) before turning back on to ensure that all electrical circuits are fully dried.
• Contact your insurance company before throwing anything away. Make a list of all damaged goods, including food. Take photos/videos if possible. Further information on insurance is available from the Association of British Insurers, www.abi.org.uk 
• Don't switch on electrical appliances that have been in contact with the flood water until a competent electrician has checked them.
• Cover open cuts and wounds on exposed skin with a waterproof plaster. Wear strong rubber gloves whilst cleaning up.
• Remove as much dirty water and silt from the property as possible including cupboards, under cupboards and the space under stairs and floorboards if you have these. This may require pumping out.
• Wash down all hard surfaces with hot soapy water several times until visually clean.
• Use a domestic disinfectant, following manufacturer’s directions as to concentrations, to wash over all hard surfaces after cleaning.
• Food preparation surfaces, storage cupboards and refrigerators should be washed down with food safe disinfectants such as Milton, Dettox or similar.
• Clothing, bedding and other soft/fabric articles including children's' toys etc should be laundered on a hot wash (60°C and above, but check washing instructions first) which will destroy any germs that may be present.

More information, including a flood recovery advice pack is available on the Council’s website www.cornwall.gov.uk/flooding. Members of the public can also call the Council for flood advice on 0300 1234 100.

4:42pm

4:36pm

4:35pm

4:34pm

4:24pm

Rosehill at Mylor Bridge is closed in both ways between Saltbox Road and Waterings Road due to flooding
 

3:54pm

3:53pm

The main Falmouth to Truro road is now closed at Perranaworthal due to flooding.

3:34pm

3:33pm

3:33pm

2:49pm

And here is a picture of the Red River in flood yesterday

2:30pm

Reports that the river at Gwithian has burst its banks, making the road past the Sandsifter impassable.

2:08pm

Cornwall’s response to the flooding has been praised by council Leader Jim Currie who visited the emergency management centre on Sunday and Lance Kennedy, the portfolio holder for community safety, public protection and waste management. 

“ During what has and continues to be one of the worst, prolonged and most extensive periods of extreme weather we have seen in recent times I would like to thank and congratulate all the emergency services, environment, highways, adult care, emergency management teams and all the other departments of Cornwall council, our partners and voluntary groups and individuals for their outstanding commitment to the people of Cornwall”  they said.

“Whilst we will examine every incident for lessons that may help to make even greater improvements I am delighted that the investment made in the fire and rescue service and emergency management team have helped to reduce the impact of this demonstration of nature’s power. 

"Again my congratulations and thanks to all those involved during the last few days and dark nights."

1:19pm

1:18pm

Wild weather update: After the rain, comes the freeze?

The Met Office are currently predicting a yellow rain warning until 6pm today. This is likely to involve heavy showers generating between 10-20mm of rainfall. This will then move away from Cornwall. However the temperatures are then due to drop, with a potential risk of frost and ice.

There are still flood alerts in place across Cornwall, with one flood warning for the River Cober. However the EA are also keeping a watching brief on Loe Pool.
There are still surface water issues on a number of roads, although A and B roads are all open apart from Sandplace near Looe where there is a fallen tree. This is being dealt with by Highways.

Teams from the Environment and Highways services are currently dealing with further calls about blocked drains, flooding and fallen trees.

There is also a report of a slippage in the St Keverne area – crews have been sent out to assess the situation. Crews will also be inspecting assets throughout the next few days to assess potential damage and any repairs which might be required.

(With thanks to Cornwall Council)

1:00pm

To give an idea of the scale of work that faced the emergency services over the weekend, Cornwall Fire and Rescue dealt with 520 calls to the 999 service, while Cornwall Council handled over 1,000.

12:55pm

While the worst seems to be over, there is still a weather warning in place says the Met Office.

Showers, some heavy, are expected today and while most will fade away they could stick around towards west Cornwall.

A Met Office spokesman said: ""The rainfall will not be as persistent, nor as heavy, as on recent days but nevertheless, given the saturated nature of ground, the public should be aware of the possibility of further localised flooding and disruption to travel."

Transport is still problematic with Rail operator, First Great Western saying the severe weather conditions mean they are still unable to operate rail services into Devon and Cornwall.

A spokesman said that as further rainfall is expected across the country in the next 24 hours, people should check journey plans before setting off.

12:01pm

Standing water at Town End, Penryn near the entrance to Durgan Lane. Not featuring any pedestrians (fortunately for them).

11:48am

Met Office: Latest rainfall totals and wind speeds

Below are the latest rainfall totals from 6.00 pm Sunday night until 6.00 am this morning. Location Amount (mm)

The highest rainfall totals are now futher north, however as the table below shows, areas in the south west have seen the most rainfall overall. This is in addition to the rainfall totals from the 20th – 23rd November, where some areas saw in excess of 90 mm of rain.

Rainfall totals from midnight 24th November until 6.00 am this morning:

Location Total (mm)

• Plymouth, Mountbatten  72
• Scilly: St Marys Airport    66.6
• Cardinham, Bodmin        66.2
• Dunkeswell Aerodrome  60.8
• Camborne                      59.6
• Exeter Airport                 55.6
• Fylingdales                     51.8
• Culdrose                         49

There were also some strong gusts of wind last night:

Location Max gust (mph)

• Berry Head                            62
• Wight: Needles Old Battery  59
• Plymouth, Mountbatten        49
• Isle Of Portland                    48
• Scilly: St Marys Airport          48
• North Wyke                          45
• Warcop Range                     45
• Langdon Bay                        44
• Solent                                  44
• Cardinham, Bodmin             44

11:42am

Watch the rain radar video as downpours drench the Duchy from Saturday. (With thanks to the Met Office)

11:22am

11:06am

Update from Cornwall Fire and Rescue:

The overnight heavy rain did not materialise as expected, however Cornwall Fire & Rescue attended several minor incidents and dealt with calls reassuring members of the public.

The main problem arising now for the fire and rescue service is that the ground is saturated and any significant amounts of rain will runoff the land surface and put further pressure on the drainage system and already swollen rivers.

10:59am

10:38am

First Great Western Cornwall are reporting that normal service has resumed on the rail line between Truro and Falmouth Docks following disruption due to a fallen tree on the line.

10:31am

Keep up-to-date with traffic news and disruption info live:

http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/li/traffic_and_travel.in.Cornwall/

10:22am

10:18am

If you missed the live weather and flood articles, click here to see how the story happened.

10:14am

This picture just in of the car trapped at Fraddon

10:10am

10:08am

10:08am

Cornwall Council are asking people who want to volunteer to help flood hit communities to contact @volcornwall on Twitter or call 01872 265307.

10:00am

However the Environment Agency still has a flood warning in place for River Cober at Helston including St Johns Road, St Johns Close, Coronation Park and Loe Pool.

9:56am

After concerns about the River Cober in Helston for most of the weekend, the threat hanging over the town has lessened this morning.

Reports say that there is still a lot of standing water in the town, but that traffic is moving freely and while the river level remains high it has dropped.

9:49am

The Mylor to Penryn road has been closed this morning due to flood water, causing drivers to find alternative routes into Penryn and Falmouth.

Follow the diversion through Flushing.

9:47am

There is quite deep standing water on Bickland Water Road, outside the football ground. Motorists are being advised to drive with care.