People 'trapped in homes' by floodwater in Cornwall
- Published
The level crossing in Camborne, Cornwall, was flooded with fast flowing rain water
People were "trapped in their homes" by floodwater after lightning and heavy rain caused chaos in parts of Cornwall.
Water was up to waist height in some areas and more than 400 homes were left without power.
The storms began at about 15:00 BST on Tuesday and lasted for more than 12 hours. A number of schools remain closed.
One person needed medical treatment after a terrace of four houses was struck by lightning.
The floods caused problems across Falmouth, Camborne, Helston and Redruth.
BBC Weather forecaster Kevin Thomas said a further severe storm happened between 19:00 and 20:00, with another one at about 03:00 on Wednesday.
There are reports of surface water on roads in the following locations:
- Between Cury and Culdrose Airfield
- On the B3303 in both directions, between Pendarves View and the B3280
- At Perranarworthal on the A39 near Cove Hill
Lightning hit a terrace of four houses in Crelly, near Helston at about 04:00, with one person requiring medical attention for smoke inhalation.
Jo Moore, from Penryn, said: "I had a river in the passageway. I was up at half past three this morning mopping. The water is now trying to slip up the stairs."
Fire Service Group Manager Nathaniel Hooton said: "We had a large number of properties affected by the floods. That ranged from water being 1ft high in some areas, and up to waist high in others. In affected areas... some people became essentially trapped in their houses."
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said it had been "extremely busy" dealing with numerous 999 calls during the night.
Cornwall Animal Hospital's shop in Pool was badly flooded.
Staff member Trevor Chalker, said: "It's horrendous. There is about 4,000 sq ft of sale space that is immersed in water."
Hundreds of homes have been reconnected but more than 80 remain without power.
Trewirgie Junior School, Redruth School and the KS2 site of Penryn Primary Academy are closed, with flooding expected at Portreath Community Primary School, the Environment Agency said.
The agency warned flooding was possible for Lands End, Helston, Crowlas, St Ives, Hayle, Camborne, Portreath and Perranporth.
- Published14 September 2016
- Published13 September 2016
