The valley regularly suffers from flooding

An east Devon estate may have to make a managed retreat from some land because of future rising water levels, it says.

Landowner Clinton Devon Estates said it was considering the action in the Lower Otter Valley after a report examined possible climate change effects.

The report it commissioned said sea level rises, more storm surges and increased rainfall were all expected to increase risks of flooding.

The estate said it would discuss changes with other involved parties.

The valley, parts of which are next to the sea, regularly floods.

East Devon District Council clears nearby culverts regularly to prevent flooding, but if sea levels did rise in the coming years the estate said it was expected to become more difficult.

One of the estate’s stakeholders, Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club, sits on the flood plain. One option as part of a managed retreat may be to move it to higher ground. The club said it was not keen to move unless necessary.

John Varley, of the estate, said the landowner had “an interest in getting the right solution for the next 50 or 60 years”.

He said: “We commissioned the report because the flood risk from upstream flooding, and from the sea breaching banks, will have a dramatic impact on a range of stakeholders, from the cricket club, to the sewage works, to footpaths, to farmland.”

Clinton Devon Estates said it would discuss the report’s findings with the Environment Agency and East Devon District Council.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11231580

No flights were cancelled because of the flooding

Exeter Airport has been hit by flash flooding, with water reaching 3ft (90cm) high in places.

Firefighters were called out when the boiler room and basement of the terminal flooded at about 1510 BST.

Water also entered the main terminal’s check-in area and the nearby B3184 link road was flooded. An airport car park was opened to allow traffic through.

The airport said the flood caused delays to a few services but no flights were cancelled.

One fire crew used a pump to remove water.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11238218

Part of a caravan park is underwater after the Colebrooke River burst its banks

A number of properties have been flooded in County Fermanagh after the Colebrooke River burst its banks near Lisnaskea.

Farms and roads in the Ballindarragh area have been affected, and part of a caravan park is underwater.

Farmer Barry Read said the water rose rapidly on Tuesday morning after three inches of rain fell in 36 hours.

Mr Read’s grain store is underwater and agricultural machinery has been damaged causing an estimated £30,000 of damage.

The farmer blamed debris at the mouth of the river which is blocking the flow of water

He said the Rivers Agency should do more to maintain it so that it can cope with extreme weather.

A Department of Agriculture and Rural Development spokesperson said: “The Colebrooke River was inspected yesterday during the heavy rainfall when water levels were rising and was found to be running freely and discharging into Upper Lough Erne.

“The Fermanagh area was subject to prolonged and heavy rainfall with approximately 70mm being recorded at St Angelo from 4 – 7 September.

“This has resulted in a one in 10 year flood event in the Colebrooke River.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-11219873

The tree uprooted by the twister narrowly missed taking down a power line

High winds described as a small “twister” hit a Norfolk town, causing minor damage to homes, power lines to swing violently and trees to fall.

The winds, which hit Watton on Sunday afternoon, uprooted an oak tree and residents reported damage to tiled roofs and school playgrounds.

Branches were thrown across roads but no major problems have been reported.

Weather experts said it was possible the damage had been caused by a funnel cloud or “twister”.

Resident Stevie Willis said: “Tiles came off roofs and the local primary school’s outside adventure play area received some damage.

“A few family back gardens were also hit.

“My sister and niece stood at the front door and watched it go through.”

A spokesman for BBC forecaster Weatherquest said: “About that time, a line of thunderstorms came through from the North Sea, and Watton was in line with them.

“It is likely to be a funnel cloud or a twister would form and because there was damage on the ground it is likely to be the case.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-11126311

Neath Port Talbot and Swansea areas were worst affected

Flooding has hit homes and roads in south west Wales following torrential rainfall during the night.

Fire crews went to about 20 incidents in four hours and worked through the night to help those affected.

An elderly woman was rescued when houses were washed out in a street in Baglan, Port Talbot.

Merthyr Tydfil fire station has also been hit by flooding. There are some road closures, including at Langland, Swansea where a pothole has opened up.

Mid and West Wales Fire Service said they have worked through the night to help people who have been flooded in their homes, following the torrential rain.

About eight houses on a street in Baglan near Port Talbot were washed out leaving one elderly woman needing to be rescued.

She spent the night with a neighbour as firefighters continue to pump out the water.

A spokesman said the busiest time was from 2200 BST to 0200 BST. The main areas affected were Baglan, Briton Ferry, Neath, Port Talbot, and Port Eynon and Reynoldston in Swansea.

Crews were called to pump out water from domestic properties.

Pot hole

South Wales Fire Service say Merthyr Tydfil Fire Station has been affected with minor flooding overnight.

Water was leaking through a window and affected all floors. It happened at about 2330 BST.

South Wales Police said part of the carriageway and footpath at Higher Lane, Langland, Swansea, has been closed by the council after a pot hole, 4ft 6ins in diameter, opened up.

It happened at about 1740 BST on Wednesday.

Police also said many single track roads on Gower have been affected by the rain overnight but that the situation seems to be easing now.

Roads closed due to flooding included the A4118 Gower Road and the A474 at Neath Port Talbot although the A4063 Cymer Road between Caerau Road and Woodlands Terrace re-opened on Thursday morning.

The A48 from Pentwyn to the Pentylla junction 41 of the M4 is also closed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-11093742

Brian Hardman by the remains of the Old Forge at Great Livermere following Monday evening's tornado gthat struck the village

A TORNADO has left a wake of devastation after it ripped through a quiet Suffolk village.

The freak twister tore through Great Livermere around 5pm yesterday, tearing up trees and destroying roofs.

Joyce Still scrambled to hide in her hall to avoid flying glass as the devastating weather was raging overhead.

“It was like a bomb had gone off,” she said. “It was really terrifying.

“The window smashed in and there was glass flying everywhere.”

In less than a minute, the twister left a huge trail of destruction, tearing down part of an historic forge at the heart of the village green.

Brian Hardman, 57, had just left the small cottage when the tornado brought the flint walls crashing down.

“There was an almighty roar then I heard all this banging and smashing,” he said. “It is heartbreaking to see the forge like this.”

Neighbours were today rallying to help each other as the massive clear-up operation began.

Tree branches and roof tiles still litter the floor as stunned villagers begin to take in the scale of the devastation.

Bill Dean, 69, said: “We were scared for our lives.

“Hopefully it is something you only experience once in a lifetime.”

http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/freak_tornado_hits_village_1_602070