Yellow weather warning could affect Devon's estuaries

Yellow weather warnings have been issued across the South West, warning Devon residents to expect heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

The Met Office issued the weather alert earlier today for Friday, September 20, and Saturday, September 21.

The forecaster said: “While some places will remain dry, thunderstorms and heavy showers could cause disruption."

The disruptions are expected to take place between 12pm and 8pm on Friday, and then for most of the day Saturday, between 1am and 11:59pm. 

East Devon District Council announced on Facebook that the Environment Agency has also issued a separate flood warning due to high tides for this evening and tomorrow.

The council said: “The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for estuaries along Devon’s south coast, including the Exe, with high tides on the evenings of Thursday 19 and Friday 20 September. 

“The floodgates at Mamhead Slipway and Camperdown Terrace will be closed as a precaution. Unless the alert is extended, these will be reopened on Saturday, 21 September 2024."

The original 12:26pm flood alert from the Environment Agency said: "Flooding is possible over the high tides on Thursday and Friday evenings. High water at Plymouth on Thursday is at 7:30pm, times of high water will vary along the coast.

"We expect flooding to affect low-lying areas and communities in the Erme, Avon, Kingsbridge, Dart, Teign, and Exe Estuaries. People are advised to to stay away from risk areas and take care next to the coast."

The Met Office's weather warning has been marked as having a very low likelihood but a medium impact, meaning there are slight chances of flash floods, power cuts, difficult driving conditions, cancellations to public transport, and a danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater.

You can find advice on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm on the Met Office’s website.