Flood alerts go out across Cornwall for Thursday through to Saturday

We're expecting a large amount of rainfall according to the Environment Agency

Author: Jo SymesPublished 17th Dec 2020

Cornwall is back on flood watch as the Environment Agency issued flood warnings across the county.

It comes as the Met Office issue a yellow weather warning for rain for the early hours of Friday morning (18th December).

The alerts remain in force until Saturday morning (19th December), with some places expected to see up to 75mm of rain fall within a 24 hour period

The areas that are at risk of flooding include:

  • Rivers Looe and Seaton - affecting Liskeard, Polperro, Jopes Mill and Hessenford
  • Helford and Fal Rivers - affecting The Lizard, Penryn, Falmouth, Truro, Ladock, Tresillian and Grampound
  • St Austell and Par Rivers - affecting Pentewan, St Blazey, Luxulyan and Mevagissey
  • West Cornwall Rivers - affecting Lands End, Penzance, Helston, Crowlas, St Ives, Hayle, Camborne, Portreath and Perranporth
  • Upper River Tamar - affecting Bude, Helebridge, Bridgerule, Canworthy Water, Launceston and Yeolmbridge.
  • North Cornwall Rivers - affecting Newquay, Padstow, Wadebridge and Sladesbridge, Bodmin, Lanivet, Boscastle and Camelford.

"Flooding is possible from the evening of Thursday 17 December through to the morning of Saturday 19 December.

"Heavy rain will spread in from the west overnight on Thursday. Showers and drizzle are forecast for Friday morning. This will turn into heavy and intense rainfall during Friday afternoon, evening and into the early hours of Saturday.

"Totals of up to 60mm are forecast to fall in a 12 hour period from Friday afternoon, with up to 75mm in 24 hours. Areas of higher ground may see totals of up to 100mm in 24 hours.

"Rivers are expected to respond quickly to this rainfall. Flooding of low-lying land and roads close to rivers is possible. Surface water may be deep, especially where leaves have blocked the drains.

"Further heavy rainfall is also forecast for Sunday and Monday. We are monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages."

Spokesperson, Environment Agency

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