FLOODS IN DEVON

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29330, 8 October 1960, Page 7

FLOODS IN DEVON

Much Of Exmouth Under Water f.VZ Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, October 6. Floods swept the county of Devon today after days of heavy rain and thunder, causing landslides, swamping roads and railways, and flooding homes. Tonight the flood threat was growing, and worst hit was the seaside town of Exmouth, where large areas were cut off by flood waters, and roads in the centre of the town became impassable. The main road from Exmouth to Exeter was 3ft deep in water rushing along at more than eight miles an hour.

Low-lying houses were up to 6ft under water, and in one street water was reported to be up to the ground floor ceilings of buildings. Much of North Devon was cut off from Exeter both by road and rail. Railway tracks were washed away, and roads were up to sft deep in water. An eight-mile stretch of road from Exeter to Torquay closed today while firemen battled Jo clear a huge artificial lake, formed when drainage was blocked by a small landslide, which was threatening to undermine the foundations of the road.

By pumping at the rate of 7500 gallons a minute the firemen managed to beat the inflow caused by the rain, and in 12 hours had lowered the water level by four feet.