Page last updated at 20:37 GMT, Thursday, 30 October 2008

'Freak' hail causes flood chaos


Cars were left tightly packed in ice after the storms



Floodwater rose up to 4ft (1.2m). Some people in remote houses were airlifted.

A woman in labour was one of about 30 people rescued from flooded homes and vehicles, police said.

Martin Ashfield, local resident

Roads into the low-lying town became torrents, ripping huge chunks out of the hedges, tearing up the road surface and spreading silt and rubble.

The weather also caused thousands of pounds' worth of damage and hit a number of businesses.



Cars in flooding (Pic by Richard Wells)
Flash floods engulfed homes and cars




They were taken to the hospital in Ottery St Mary, which was used as a shelter for about 20 people who had nowhere else to go.


"It has been absolute chaos. It started just after midnight when we were out rescuing people stuck in their cars in flood water.


Baby Nathan and parents
Juliet Hall was in labour when she was trapped by the floods

Juliet Hall, who was pregnant, was in labour and on her way to hospital when she was rescued by emergency crew from the flooded A30 nearby.

She was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital by ambulance and gave birth there to a son.



"The Environment Agency called me and told me where it was."

Elizabeth Devay, who was staying with five members of her family in a caravan near Ottery St Mary, said: "We heard a lot of rain and huge hailstones hitting the caravan roof.

"When we opened the door there were floods outside the caravan knee deep with the hail floating on top. By the time we got out of the door it was up to our waist."

Cars in flood
Martin Ashfield's car was swept away by the flood

John and Joan Burrows, who farm nearby, lost about 30 sheep. Joan said: "Others are sheltering on the old railway line and we're hoping they don't try and jump in the water."


Devon and Cornwall Police said that roads in the area were "treacherous" and a number of routes were closed because of flooding or ice. Rail services were also disrupted.

In Boscastle in Cornwall, six premises were flooded overnight because of a blocked storm drain.


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