A number of roads in Devon are blocked this morning (Friday, April 5) as heavy rain and strong winds cause trees to fall. Hours of torrential rain fell last night, with people waking up to chaos on the roads including fallen trees and flooding.
The A388 is closed in both directions, with traffic building ahead of rush hour, due to a fallen tree. An earlier crash on the A377 also closed the road at Copplestone.
Further outside of the county, strong winds have caused ferry crossings and bridges to be cancelled. Train passengers are also warned of industrial action which is likely to result in some short notice cancellations or alterations to services across the GWR network.
Ahead of Storm Kathleen, Exeter-based forecasters at the Met Office have warned of travel disruption, flooding and a chance of injury and danger to life ahead of Saturday's weather warning. 50mph winds are expected for much of the day, with exposed and coastal areas seeing wind reach 70mph.
We'll bring you all the latest traffic and travel news in our blog below:
High volume of traffic on Devon roads
#Devon With high numbers departing and entering the South West this afternoon, we are seeing high traffic volumes on all major routes. Please allow extra time for your journey and try to factor in fuel and break stops in quieter areas. pic.twitter.com/ypvTbudp1E
— Devon Alert (@DevonAlert) April 5, 2024
M5 crash
M5 - DEVON - NORTHBOUND
M5 Northbound partially blocked long delays, queueing traffic due to accident at J31 A38 (Okehampton turn off). Congestion to A30 and A38.
Sidford traffic
Queueing traffic on A3052 Church Street Eastbound before A375 Sidford Road.
M5 crash at Exeter
M5 Northbound partially blocked long delays, queueing traffic due to accident at J31 A38 (Okehampton turn off). Congestion to A30 and A38.
Traffic in Exeter
Slow traffic on Alphington Road at the Seven Stars Traffic Lights. Travel time is ten minutes.
Tamar Bridge traffic
Slow traffic on A38 Eastbound before Tamar Bridge heading into Devon. Travel time is ten minutes.
Train delays
SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY - DEVON
Delays of up to 20 minutes on South Western Railway between Exeter St Davids and Yeovil Junction due to earlier level crossing problems.
Join our new WhatsApp community
To get updates on incidents like this sent directly to your phone, join DevonLive on WhatsApp by clicking here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Fallen tree cleared
A388 in both directions re-opened, fallen tree removed between the A30 (Polson / Lifton Down Turn Off) and St Leonards Turn-off.
Today's weather forecast
Today:
A windy but bright day with lengthy sunny spells and just a small chance of a shower. Feeling warm in the sunshine and out of the wind. Thickening cloud and patchy rain moving into parts of Cornwall later. Maximum temperature 14 °C.
Tonight:
Some drier spells on offer in the east though this soon becoming replaced with outbreaks of rain, this heavy at times. Turning drier again by dawn. Blustery overnight. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
Sign up to receive daily updates and breaking news alerts from DevonLive straight to your inbox
Join our Whatsapp group
To get updates on incidents like this sent directly to your phone, join DevonLive on WhatsApp by clicking here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Flooding likely
The Environment Agency (EA) has issued nine flood alerts for Devon today. Flooding is possible in the following areas:
- North Dartmoor Rivers
- River Dart area
- River Lynher
- Rivers Clyst and Culm and their tributaries
- Rivers Otter and Sid, and Exmouth area
- River Teign area
- South Somerset Rivers, Upper Reaches
- Upper River Tamar
- West Somerset Streams
Strong winds spark bridge restrictions too
Strong winds and restrictions on M48 Severn Bridge in both directions between J2 A466 Wye Valley Link Road (Chepstow) and J1 A403 (Aust).Everyone comes off Eastbound at J2 or West at J1, around the roundabouts and back on to cross the bridge, which remains open.
Passenger ferry cancelled
ST MAWES PASSENGER FERRY - CORNWALL
All sailings cancelled on St Mawes Passenger Ferry between St Mawes and Falmouth due to high winds.
A388 closed in both directions
A388 - LIFTONDOWN - BOTH DIRECTIONS - DEVON
A388 in both directions closed due to fallen tree between the A30 (Polson / Lifton Down Turn Off) and St Leonards Turn-off.
