Woman in labour rescued from Devon floods

A woman in labour has been rescued after heavy flooding caused havoc in Devon. She was among scores of people who had to be rescued after fierce storms began at around midnight. They forced families out of their homes and caused a string of road accidents. A police spokesman said a woman started to give birth after a road accident and many vehicles were trapped in flood water, including a 38ft lorry. Flood warnings are in place across the county and people are being warned not to travel unless necessary. The emergency services have received more than 150 calls reporting flood problems and an evacuation centre was set up at the hospital in Ottery St Mary. A police spokesman said: "Due to heavy rainfall and freezing hail in east Devon certain areas have experienced serious flooding. "People are warned not to travel unless absolutely necessary to avoid driving into flood waters. "There have been a series of weather related road collisions on the A30 and for safety reasons it is being closed. "This included a road accident near Honiton with a female giving birth who had to be transported by ambulance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. "All roads in east Devon are treacherous due to weather, standing water and land slippages." There are flood warnings in place for the south Devon coast at Beesands, Torcross, Slapton, Torbay and Dawlish with high tide at 7am. There are more flood warnings for east Devon in Ottery St Mary, Whimple, Talaton, Feniton, Newton Poppleford, Awliscombe, West Hill, Cadhay and Rockbeare.

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ITN | October 30, 2008

Tags:. .place. .travel. .waters. .driving. .closed