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Cc100712cba Severe Weather Event 7Th July 2012

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Cc100712cba Severe Weather Event 7Th July 2012 Devon County Council HTM/12/42 Report on Severe Weather Event 7 th July 2012 Synopsis On Friday 6 th July at 18:30 a RED warning was issued for the risk of severe disruption to Devon and Cornwall on Saturday 7 th July due to surface water and river flooding. This was an update to previous yellow and amber warnings issued earlier in the day. In the event, 45 to 90mm fell in parts of South Devon and 45-120mm fell in parts of East Devon according to the Environment Agency. Two severe flood warnings were issued for the River Yealm and the River Axe and a further 27 other flood warnings were issued, predominantly in South, Mid and East Devon. Current reports are suggesting that over 140 properties were affected by the flooding in Devon, but similar previous events suggest that this number will rise in time. Weather Radar 03:05 7 th July 2012 (courtesy of Meteogroup) Over 272 incidents were logged over the weekend the majority being on the Saturday morning after the main rainfall overnight on Friday. The Strategic Co-ordinating Group (Emergency services, local authorities, EA and Met Office) mobilised on Friday evening and Police Silver Control was active during Saturday to co-ordinate the multi-agency response. Further warnings are in place for potential further rain impacts on Wednesday to Friday, and these warnings are being carefully monitored – see overleaf. -1- Devon County Council DCC’s Flood Risk Management, Highways and Emergency Planning Teams are working closely with the District Councils and the Environment Agency to coordinate a full response. In accordance with the responsibilities of the Lead Local Flood Authority DCC’S Flood Risk Management Team are to organise a multi-agency de-briefing session followed by local flood surgeries for the affected communities. Summary of Significant Incidents -2- Devon County Council The map above gives an indication of where calls were received over the weekend and also the rivers that were on flood warnings or higher. South Devon - Yealmpton, Yealmbridge , severe river flooding and properties affected, residents evacuated and community emergency plan activated. Reports have suggested 14 properties have been flooded. The main source is from the River Yealm which is a main river; therefore the Environment Agency will be leading on the investigations for this incident. - Modbury – Early indications are that between 20 -30 properties suffered internal flooding. The main source appears to be surface runoff and a culverted ordinary watercourse. DCC will be leading the investigations, as required under the Flood and Water Management Act, and will produce and publish an incident report for Modbury. - Various bridge and structures in South Hams damaged including Peek Mill Bridge, Ivybridge, Clam Bridge, Diptford, and Topsham Bridge, Loddiswell. - Some property flooding reported in Ivybridge, Avonwick, Cornwood, Harbertonford and Ermington. - Parsonage Bridge in Ugborough has collapsed and a diversion has been put in place. East Devon - Axminster, severe river flooding with many properties affected, residents evacuated and DCC rest centre established. A number of incidents occurred in Axminster, in particular at Lyme Road, Willhayes Park and Weycroft Mill, with approximately 40 properties suffering internal flooding. The main sources of flooding are to be established and investigations will be coordinated between the EA and DCC. - Ottery St Mary – The flood defences appeared to work well, however there have been mixed messages on some isolated flooding incidents. Further investigations are being carried out to establish the number of properties and specific locations that were affected. - Tipton St John / Harpford area – Several reports of flooding have been reported in and around this area. Further investigations will be carried out to establish actual numbers and specific locations. Photographs at Harpford show a significant volume of silt that has been washed off adjacent farmland. - Talaton, Feniton, Otterton and Budleigh Salterton had significant flooding problems reported but few properties affected. - Exmouth had significant surface water flooding with some properties affected. - B3162 Uplyme, A358 Tytherleigh, A358 Weycroft Bridge, and A3052 Sidmouth were closed for part of the weekend due to flooding. - A number of landslips reported across the East Devon area. Other areas of the County - A few reports of surface water flooding in the Tiverton area. - Ongoing issues of rock face stabilisation on A386 at Beam exacerbated by the weather. - A few reports of fallen trees and branches across the county. - Landslip reported on Torquay Road Shaldon. Highway damage and ongoing actions There are plenty of examples, particularly in East and South Devon, of the highway being affected by excessive surface water, river flooding and “blown” drainage systems. Examples are shown in the attached photographs. -3- Devon County Council There has also been significant damage to highway structures, with examples of bridge parapets damaged or completely removed, and some embankments which have collapsed and may require retaining walls. Highways Teams and Bridge Inspectors are actively assessing the damage to Devon’s Highway Asset and work is being prioritised on the higher category roads. Examples of work being undertaken this week include: - Sweeping storm debris from major roads - Cleaning badly affected drainage ditches on major roads - Clearing landslides affecting the carriageway - Jetting blocked drains on major roads - Patching surfaces on major roads where they have lifted or “blown” - Making safe and guarding – e.g. where parapets have failed. Costs Staff have been extremely busy since Sunday assessing damage to the roads, bridges, retaining walls and footpaths, concentrating on the highest categories first. It is unlikely that more than 25% of the network has been assessed since Sunday and therefore costs will increase, but it is currently estimated that: - Cost of clear-up following storm £1m - Cost of remedial work, in excess of £3m Lester Willmington Head of Highways and Traffic Management 10 th July 2012 cc100712cba Severe Weather Event 7th July 2012 -4- Devon County Council A381 The Mounts Trafalgar Way, Axminster Culvert parapet Shute Starcombe Lane, Sidmouth Pound Lane, Uplyme Otterton -5- .
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