As the wind and rain have finally ceased to be so violent, people in Devon are assessing the damages caused by Storm Ciaran.
The vehicle that was washed away from the Sidmouth Esplanade over night was a reminder of its 60mph impact (96km/h), while floods, trees falling and landslips caused roads to be closed.
Over 900 homes in the county went without electricity and over 250 schools had to be closed.
There are still 20 flood warnings in effect.
One of the trees damaged a police vehicle near Kingsbridge and its driver was taken to hospital.
Devon and Cornwall Police warned drivers to avoid going out in the rain unless absolutely necessary, as they feared that rivers could burst.
According to Environment Agency, in addition to the flood warnings for 20 rivers, there are 29 other rivers that remain on flood alert. This means flooding could occur.
Residents of Seaton on the Jurassic Coast reported flooding in the area, with the playground and green left underwater.
David Noble, the owner of South Sands Hotel, Salcombe described the “devastating” end to the Storm Ciaran, as the big swell knocked down windows and doors, flooding the restaurant below.
He said that as he continued to mop up, it was the worst storm the hotel had seen since he purchased it fourteen years earlier.
GWR said that the cancellation of trains between Exeter, and Taunton had left passengers with a “bleak day”. There was no alternative bus service, as they were also affected.
Devon County Council reported that more than 250 schools had been closed in the county.
One caller to BBC Radio Devon said that the rain on Dartmoor was falling “horizontally”.
Ian Cobham from Princetown on Dartmoor said, “It is blowing like a hoolie here. I believe it’s sideways raining.”
The Dartmoor Brewery’s manager said, “If you step out of your car and cross the parking lot you will be soaked in seconds.”
It’s really bad out there.
Waves had flooded the Tinside Lido, in Plymouth.
The emergency control center of Devon County Council reported that road closures were occurring throughout the county.
The main road between Modbury & Ermington, which runs in both directions, was shut down in both directions due to a landslide. Other routes affected by the landslide included Haldon Hill’s link between A38 & A380, as well as Jubilee Road, Totnes, where a tree fell.
Flooding has forced the cancellation of a planned closure over night of a part of A30.
The city council has announced that Plymouth’s household recycling facility at Chelson Meadow is now open again after being closed by high winds early in the day.
The police said that the car washed up on Sidmouth Esplanade “had been left unattended” at the edge of a boat launch and will be recovered once “conditions have improved”.
Devon and Cornwall were under an amber Met Office warning, until 11:15 GMT. The warning warned that winds could reach up to 60-70 mph.
A yellow warning for rain and wind was issued for the South West at 11:00. The weather alert was to last until 17:00. Winds of up to 60mph were expected to blow along the coastline.
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