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Storms Unleash Devastation Across Devon and Cornwall
31 Jan
Summary
- Multiple flood warnings remain active across Devon and Cornwall.
- Rail services severely disrupted due to extensive flooding.
- Recent storms caused the second wettest January on record for Cornwall.
Storm damage continues to cause significant disruption in Devon and Cornwall, affecting roads, railways, and properties. As of January 31, 2026, five flood warnings are active in Devon and two in Cornwall. The Environment Agency indicates that with the ground already saturated, river levels are anticipated to remain high for an extended period, prolonging the impact of recent storms.
Rail services are severely affected, with key routes between Exeter and Barnstaple, and Exeter and Okehampton, remaining closed through the weekend. Limited replacement bus services are operating. Further cancellations are in place for lines between Liskeard and Looe, and Par and Newquay, with disruption expected until the end of Sunday. In addition to flooding, Devon County Council is addressing nearly 2,900 pothole repairs with approximately 50 teams working on them.
The region has recently endured Storm Ingrid and Storm Chandra, which brought widespread flooding and damage. The UK Met Office reported that January 2026 has been the second wettest on record for Cornwall since 1836 and the ninth wettest for Devon. A yellow rain warning is in effect from 12:00 GMT on Monday, January 31, to 09:00 on Tuesday, February 1, 2026, with further heavy rain anticipated.
