Heavy rain overnight has caused massive flooding to return to Cornwall, with residents evacuated, roads closed and properties underwater.
Rail and bus services across the Westcountry are affected, disrupting the Christmas getaway on one of the busiest travelling days of the year.
In Helston, the River Cober again burst its banks resulting in around 200 residents being urged to evacuate, some properties in St Johns Road being flooded and an emergency rest centre opened at Epworth Hall in Coinagehall Street.
The Environment Agency issued a Severe Flood Warning - currently the only across the country - for the River Cober, meaning lives are at risk. The Agency said "widespread property flooding is imminent."
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service are at the scene attempting to pump water along the river to an area with a greater capacity, but residents are being urged to leave their homes.
One resident, Angela Webster, said she woken up at 4am by her son after police knocked on their door to say the water was coming in. She said: "We quickly moved as much furniture as we would. I will move out but not just yet. This is still my home. It's happened before and I don't think it's over yet. The next three days are quite critical."
Steve Marks from the Environment Agency in Cornwall said the county was at the "frontline for flooding," adding "sometimes we do take the worst of it."
He said as well as the River Cober they are keeping a particular eye on the River Fowey and larger rivers that continue to rise.
David Owens, the duty director at Cornwall Council, said about 50 homes have been flooded, five of which are in Helston.
"The level of the river is still continuing to rise and still continuing to be of concern so we are watching the predicted rainfall very closely," he said.
Two landslips on Hannafore Road in Looe have made the road impassable and effectively cut off the village of Hannafore, with emergency services at the scene.
In Mousehole, the road surface has been lifted more than a foot in places by flooding and eyewitnesses report "big plumes" of water shooting manhole covers into the air.
Properties have been flooded in Cawsand and one resident reported effluent running down the slipway after drains overflowed.
Millbrook has once again been hit by flooding, with residents and business owners waking up to find their properties were under several inches of water.
Fire crews have also attended incidents at St Austell, Lostwithiel, Hayle, Torpoint, Penzance, Probus, Durgan, Millbrook, St Columb and St Just.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: "This has again been a significant and challenging event and the emergency services together with partner agencies have worked hard throughout the night and will continue to do so to respond to calls from the public.
"Police are advising residents to take all possible precautions to protect their property. Please listen to your local radio and monitor social media for weather updates.
"Additionally, if you have to travel please plan your journey and allow extra time. Please drive to the road conditions and do not drive into flood water. Many roads remain closed or passble with care."Additionally the advice is if on foot do not enter flood water – it is exceptionally dangerous, and as little as 15 cm of water can knock a person off their feet."
There are further flood warnings in force across the Duchy: River Cober from Wendron to Lowertown, River Kensey from Egloskerry to St Leonards, River Lynher from Berriowbridge to Notter Bridge, River Tamar (Upper) from Tamarstone to Polson Bridge, River Tamar (Lower) from Morwellham Quay to Cotehele Quay, River Neet from Woolstone Mill to Rodds Bridge, River Strat from Bush to Helebridge, River Seaton from the A38 to Seaton, River Tresillian At Ladock, River Hayle from Relubbus to St Erth, the River Camel from Camelford to Polbrock, the River Fowey from Trekeivesteps to Lostwithiel.
Travel disruption includes:
Trains are unable to operate between Taunton and Plymouth. First Great Western said services from Penzance, Plymouth, Exeter St Davids towards Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington will terminate at Plymouth and start from Taunton until further notice.
Services from London Paddington towards Exeter St Davids and the West of England will terminate at Taunton and be started again from Plymouth until further notice.
A very limited road transport operation is currently in place between Taunton, Exeter St Davids and Plymouth, this is being hampered by flooded roads and only a limited number of vehicles being available.
Services between Par and Newquay are also suspended in both directions with no replacement road transport available.
Bus services around Newquay and Perranporth are severely affected by flooded roads, with problems to the 547, 585, 586, 591, 572 and 573.
Rail and bus services across the Westcountry are affected, disrupting the Christmas getaway on one of the busiest travelling days of the year.
In Helston, the River Cober again burst its banks resulting in around 200 residents being urged to evacuate, some properties in St Johns Road being flooded and an emergency rest centre opened at Epworth Hall in Coinagehall Street.
The Environment Agency issued a Severe Flood Warning - currently the only across the country - for the River Cober, meaning lives are at risk. The Agency said "widespread property flooding is imminent."
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service are at the scene attempting to pump water along the river to an area with a greater capacity, but residents are being urged to leave their homes.
One resident, Angela Webster, said she woken up at 4am by her son after police knocked on their door to say the water was coming in. She said: "We quickly moved as much furniture as we would. I will move out but not just yet. This is still my home. It's happened before and I don't think it's over yet. The next three days are quite critical."
Steve Marks from the Environment Agency in Cornwall said the county was at the "frontline for flooding," adding "sometimes we do take the worst of it."
He said as well as the River Cober they are keeping a particular eye on the River Fowey and larger rivers that continue to rise.
David Owens, the duty director at Cornwall Council, said about 50 homes have been flooded, five of which are in Helston.
"The level of the river is still continuing to rise and still continuing to be of concern so we are watching the predicted rainfall very closely," he said.
Two landslips on Hannafore Road in Looe have made the road impassable and effectively cut off the village of Hannafore, with emergency services at the scene.
In Mousehole, the road surface has been lifted more than a foot in places by flooding and eyewitnesses report "big plumes" of water shooting manhole covers into the air.
Properties have been flooded in Cawsand and one resident reported effluent running down the slipway after drains overflowed.
Millbrook has once again been hit by flooding, with residents and business owners waking up to find their properties were under several inches of water.
Fire crews have also attended incidents at St Austell, Lostwithiel, Hayle, Torpoint, Penzance, Probus, Durgan, Millbrook, St Columb and St Just.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: "This has again been a significant and challenging event and the emergency services together with partner agencies have worked hard throughout the night and will continue to do so to respond to calls from the public.
"Police are advising residents to take all possible precautions to protect their property. Please listen to your local radio and monitor social media for weather updates.
"Additionally, if you have to travel please plan your journey and allow extra time. Please drive to the road conditions and do not drive into flood water. Many roads remain closed or passble with care."Additionally the advice is if on foot do not enter flood water – it is exceptionally dangerous, and as little as 15 cm of water can knock a person off their feet."
There are further flood warnings in force across the Duchy: River Cober from Wendron to Lowertown, River Kensey from Egloskerry to St Leonards, River Lynher from Berriowbridge to Notter Bridge, River Tamar (Upper) from Tamarstone to Polson Bridge, River Tamar (Lower) from Morwellham Quay to Cotehele Quay, River Neet from Woolstone Mill to Rodds Bridge, River Strat from Bush to Helebridge, River Seaton from the A38 to Seaton, River Tresillian At Ladock, River Hayle from Relubbus to St Erth, the River Camel from Camelford to Polbrock, the River Fowey from Trekeivesteps to Lostwithiel.
Travel disruption includes:
Trains are unable to operate between Taunton and Plymouth. First Great Western said services from Penzance, Plymouth, Exeter St Davids towards Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington will terminate at Plymouth and start from Taunton until further notice.
Services from London Paddington towards Exeter St Davids and the West of England will terminate at Taunton and be started again from Plymouth until further notice.
A very limited road transport operation is currently in place between Taunton, Exeter St Davids and Plymouth, this is being hampered by flooded roads and only a limited number of vehicles being available.
Services between Par and Newquay are also suspended in both directions with no replacement road transport available.
Bus services around Newquay and Perranporth are severely affected by flooded roads, with problems to the 547, 585, 586, 591, 572 and 573.
