Calls to police have trebled due to storms

Police officers from Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly have been working through the night after being called to a high number of flood related incidents. Devon and Cornwall Police have said their control room took around treble the average number of calls yesterday ( 14th Feb).

The force also saw a record number of police generated incident logs at 1549 up until midnight on Friday night (14th Feb). (The previous highest was 1542 during Christmas 2012).

The majority of the calls the police recieved were relating to weather incidents. Police were called to help with road closures and falling trees and debris.

The weather forecast is for an improving picture throughout the weekend but the road debris and subsequent clean up operation will mean road closures will remain in some areas.

Further damage was caused to the sea wall at Dawlish and residents were evacuated from Sea Lawn Terrace. In some areas the true picture of the damage caused overnight is still not known and police are continuing to receive calls about damage caused to properties and infrastructure such as gas leaks and damage to telephone and power lines.

The Police have said they will continue to work closely with the local authorities, Environment Agency and other emergency services throughout the weekend.

Drivers are urged to take caution when travelling on the road network and residents concerned about flooding in their area can also log onto the Environment Agency website to follow the latest flood alerts.

A police spokesman said:

“The police experienced a very busy period during the latest storm and although there is considerable damage to individual properties, large scale flooding was avoided. The advice now is to be cautious if you have to go out and about. Roads remain dangerous due to surface water, fallen trees and debris and heavy rain continues to fall in some areas. We would also ask residents to check on the welfare of their neighbours and continue to monitor the weather forecast and flooding alerts via their local news stations, the Met office and Environment Agency.”

To follow the latest flood alerts please visit http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/