Record rain and storms leave Devon roads riddled with potholes

Prolonged heavy rainfall and a succession of named storms in the South West have left roads across Devon badly damaged, with tens of thousands of potholes reported and thousands still awaiting repair.

Devon County Council confirmed to North Devon Gazette that around 11,000 public reports of potholes were logged in January 2026, when the first storms of the year began, and nearly 2,900 of those repairs are still outstanding. 

Storms including Goretti on 8 January, followed by Ingrid and Chandra, have brought relentless rainfall and flooding across the South West, saturating the ground and accelerating road deterioration. 

For parts of south-west England and south Wales it has rained on every day so far this year, making 2026 one of the wettest starts on record.

The volume of rain has hindered drainage and weakened road surfaces, increasing the number of potholes and taxing repair crews.

Devon recorded 63,000 potholes in 2024, up from 52,800 in 2023, and early reports this year suggest a further spike following the storms, mirroring national trends that link prolonged wet weather to increased road surface damage.

Council officers say it is too early to provide an estimated total cost of storm-related repairs  as inspections of highway damage are still under way.

Widespread closures and structural damage

The severe weather has led to closures and disruption on many roads across Devon’s districts:

North Devon

• Gays Lane, Copplestone – closed due to standing water and blocked pipe
• A377 Bishops Tawton – blocked gully entry
• A377 Codden Hill Junction – blocked gully

Exeter & East Devon

• C808 Burcombes Grange to Woods Coombe – shut due to severe undermining
• C418 near Northmostown – closed after landslip
• C127 Cadhay Lane, Ottery St Mary – collapsed culvert
• Pinn Lane, between Sidmouth and Otterton – closed until floodwater recedes
• Cobden Lane, Whimple – significant surface damage from water flow
• Multiple other minor roads and lanes closed or obstructed by debris and water damage

South Devon

• A379 Slapton Line – severe damage rendered road impassable
• Bridford and Exminster area roads closed due to stream bank collapse and fallen trees
• Lower Dawlish Water Road – overwhelmed ford and uncertain roadbed stability

Mid Devon

• B3181 Cullompton to Willand – still flooded but passable with careStation Road, Newton St Cyres – surface damage closure

West Devon

• A386 at Beam – multiple bank slips and ongoing repair works

The Gazette shared location lists provided by local contributors and confirmed with council communications.