ENGINEERING works have continued overnight at the Grand Western Canal in Halberton after a vast section of the 200-year-old structure collapsed following flooding.
Boards have been put in place at Manley Bridge to stop water from draining from the canal and other works to stabilise the canal will be carried out today with the forecast of further heavy rain on its way.
The canal breached its banks yesterday afternoon with thousands of gallons of water pouring onto adjoining land.
Ken Browse, chairman of the parish council at Halberton and owner of some of the land nearest the collapsed section had helped fill sandbags and assist in the temporary damming of the canal. He said: "It has been over-topping for days and yesterday we could see that the bank was going to come through, but couldn't prevent it in time. The canal is only a metre or so deep, but it is going to take some clean-up."
A handful of families were evacuated from their homes on Thursday evening and were accommodated in the village hall before being allowed to return to their homes once danger had passed.
Devon County Council is however warning residents in Halberton to be aware of the potential of further risk of flooding later today.
Train services between Exeter and Taunton have been replaced with bus services due to flooding at Tiverton Parkway.

A bridge over the River Culme between Exeter and Cullompton has collapsed. The bridge, near the B3181 at Bradninch, is not a main route, say police. Devon Highways Agency are aware.

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PICTURES: Devon and Cornwall hit by flooding misery with more heavy rain on the way

Tamar Bridge closed to high-sided vehicles as wind batters Plymouth

PICTURES: Grand Western Canal bank collapses under weight of water

Plymouth pub badly flooded days after finishing £100,000 refit

PICTURES: Flooding in Budeligh Salterton

GALLERY: Heavy rain causes flooding across Devon

PICTURES: Devon floods: Tamerton Foliot under water, major roads closed

GALLERY: Flooding in Dawlish and Starcross area

Marjorie Pressman, 82, lost her husband, Bill, four years ago. What compounded her grief was not being able to talk to anyone or share her memories of Bill because so many of their friends had passed away too.

Marjorie felt completely alone with no family nearby, and with her confidence at an all-time low and depression creeping up on her, she became a prisoner in her own home.

She said: "The loneliness gets under your skin. You wake every day with a heaviness of heart and realisation that today is going to be no better than yesterday and in fact, might even be worse."

Age UK Exeter heard about Marjorie from her neighbour who called them because she was worried she hadn't seen Marjorie about. The charity then got Marjorie's permission to contact her direct to see if there was anything they could do to help.

Marjorie said: "Not expecting that life would ever have any meaning again, I have been overwhelmed by all the things that Age UK Exeter have done to help me. I have met Jayne, who comes to see me every week as a voluntary visitor.

"She's electric, if you know what I mean. Chats away; she's quite astonishing and so interesting. Age UK Exeter picked exactly the right person when they found me Jayne. I also receive telephone calls across the week from other volunteers. They call me for a chat and because I talk to the same people every week, they too, feel like friends. Jayne has helped me get online and I'm discovering all the shopping web sites and the good deals I can get."

There are 7,000 older people who live alone in Exeter and across the country it is estimated that half a million older people will be alone this Christmas. Martyn Rogers, director of Age UK Exeter, said: "I see and hear so many sad stories in my job and am often moved to wonder just how people manage to keep going day after day. I want us to be able to reach out to local older people living alone this Christmas so that we can bring some colour into their lives over the winter and into 2013.

"Age UK Exeter really does improve lives; by providing the right advice and support, coupled with good company and new friendships, we can and do make a big difference".

Age UK Exeter is busy planning their Winter Appeal 2012 which will raise the issues of loneliness and isolation for older people in the city.

Corinne Bailey, development manager, said: "As we move into winter now, we are preparing ourselves for a possible cold snap – hearing from people whose isolation will worsen, due to dark evenings, risk of falls increasing, ill health, rising fuel costs, bereavement, and social exclusion – the list can be endless and winter can be pretty grim for many older people stuck indoors. With a growing elderly population, every year we work hard to alleviate the difficulties people face. We are launching our Winter Appeal now and hope to raise more than £10,000 to support older people this winter and into next year. We hope people will get behind the appeal in whatever way they can. We are holding a Wear a Hat Day on December 7 which is a fun and easy way to raise much-needed funds. We are asking employees, school children, students and social groups to don a hat for the day, silly or otherwise, and make a donation to Age UK Exeter.

"We are suggesting a donation of £2 for adults and 50p for children and to find out more people can visit our Wear a Hat Day website or phone us for an information pack. People can also show their support by buying individually-made scarf badges from various outlets across the city, including our shop in Paris Street. We really hope that people will want to support those older people in the city who are going to have a pretty bleak time this winter. With their help it could be so different. For example, a donation of just £5 will provide someone living alone with calls for two weeks from a friendly volunteer. And remember we're here if you need us or know someone who might."

The Westcountry remained on high alert last night as torrential rain and 70mph winds battered the region for a second day.

Severe gale force winds ripped metal sheeting off roofs, downed trees and power lines, and blew over a 40ft temporary building, while heavy rain brought down a bridge, flooded roads and threatened properties. Forecasters predicted some respite today with drier and brighter weather but issued "yellow" warnings for further heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: "The current unsettled spell of weather is set to continue with further spells of heavy rain expected across the country over the next few days.

"There has been some torrential rain and squally winds as a cold front moved across the UK, but another deep depression developing off Iberia will head towards us for the weekend. This is expected to bring more heavy rain and strong to gale force winds to many parts of the country.

"We urge everyone to keep up to date with forecasts and warnings and be prepared for what the weather will bring."

With up to an inch of rain predicted to fall in some areas in just an hour, the Environment Agency in the South West yesterday issued 36 flood warnings – including on the River Clyst – across the region.

The agency also put in place 57 flood alerts including on the rivers Looe, Seaton, Fowey, Fal and lower Tamar in Cornwall. Concerns were also raised for the Taw, Torridge and lower Exe in Devon.

"We strongly urge people to sign up to flood warnings on the Environment Agency website, keep a close eye on local weather forecasts and be prepared for flooding. We also ask that people stay safe, by staying away swollen rivers and not attempting to drive through floodwater," said Nick Moore, from the Environment Agency.

"Environment Agency teams have been mobilised across the country to check on flood defences, clear river blockages and monitor river levels."

Tavistock in Devon saw some minor flooding on Dolvin Road where children at St Rumon's Infant School were put on flood alert.

After a morning of severe gales – during which 70mph gusts were recorded on the Isles of Scilly and at Berry Head on the South Devon coast – torrential rain then swept across the region in the afternoon.

Emergency services and highways crew responded to hundreds of calls, mainly to flooded roads, fallen trees but also to help secure damaged buildings. The most serious accident happened on the A3079 at Beaworthy, near Okehampton, shortly after 4pm in which one man died. The storm caused misery for travellers, with rail services being suspended between Exeter and Taunton because of flood damage to the track.

It was no better on the roads, with motorists facing hazardous journeys with vast areas of standing water, downed trees and buffeting winds.

Near Cullompton, a 30ft bridge over the River Culme collapsed late on Wednesday night under the force of water, closing the road between Westcott and Bradninch.

John Bowen, landlord of the nearby Merry Harriers pub, said: "It must have been a phenomenal weather event to take out a bridge like that.

"Talking to the locals, they've said the last time they saw something similar was back in 1961."

Devon County Council said it has closed the road and put up security fencing at either end of the grade II listed bridge. Engineers are due to inspect what remains of the structure when flood waters subside.

Plymouth city centre was also in chaos at rush hour as flood waters inundated the newly revamped Gdynia Way and high winds forced the closure of one lane of the Tamar Bridge.

The bridge was also closed to high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorcycles until around 6pm. Just one ferry was running from Torpoint to Devonport with queues of more than an hour.

The chain on one of the ferries also snapped, leaving the ferry stranded at Devonport.

Ferry manager David List said: "It is very unusual. I have been here 15 years and it is the first time we have ever had a severed chain like that. We believe it could be an existing defect in the chain which was identified by the extra forces involved today."

Traffic on the A386 near Beam Quarry, at Torrington, was disrupted after part of a wall collapsed onto the road.

In Exeter, a 30ft section of a 20ft-high wall collapsed onto a bus shelter in Hele Road in St David's Hill at about 8pm. Emergency services closed the road while firefighters carried out thermal imaging checks to ensure no-one was trapped under the rubble.

The road between Bovey Tracey and Manaton was blocked after a 40ft temporary building was blown off its base. In Hayle, a large trampoline was whipped up by the winds and left hanging on a telegraph pole.

In Plymouth, a shopper needed medical treatment after a sign fell from Drake Circus shopping centre and struck them on the ankle.

Almost 500 homes the Bickleigh area of East Devon were temporarily left without power as were some 120 properties in the Torpoint area of South East Cornwall. People across the region are being urged to check weather updates today before they travel.

'There was a rumbling roar like Victoria Falls'

A Devon community hit by flooding has pulled together to protect itself from damage, writes Adam Walmesley.

Some 20 families were evacuate in Halberton near Tiverton on Wednesday night over fears that water from the second side of a collapsed canal would destroy their homes.

The Grand Western Canal breached its banks once two 100ft sections had collapsed under the weight of water from two days of torrential rain in the Mid Devon area.

A two-mile section of the canal drained through the hole left in the bank between Halberton and Sampford Peverell forming a lagoon in surrounding fields.

Engineers worked in pitch black conditions to stabilise the 200-year-old canal after a months' worth of rain reportedly fell in 48 hours. They removed tonnes of earth at the site leaving a hole the estimated height of a three-storey building.

Temporary dams were constructed to restrict the flow of escaping water, which at one stage was feared might cascade down into the village.

Police made an initial assessment over whether there was an immediate threat to human life.

Officers then worked alongside engineers to cordon off the area to the public.

Devon County Councillor Des Hannon, who represents Halberton, witnessed the canal bank collapse.

He said: "There was a deep rumbling roar reminiscent of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Then tonne-size chunks broke away and the water poured out.

"It looked like a casualty from the Bible."

He added: "Initially it was hard to persuade the services, who were extremely busy, that it was a genuine emergency.

"But anyone who saw the devastation for themselves realised what we were up against.

" It was extremely fortunate no one was killed."

Councillor Roger Croad, the County Council's cabinet member responsible for the canal said: "Quick thinking and actions by our Rangers yesterday morning to start damming the canal either side of the immediate problem area did lessen the impact.

"But clearly with the amount of water flowing into the canal and the erosion of the embankment at that point, the breach could not have been avoided."

Malcolm Trump, canal liaison officer, described the incident as an "Act of God".

"No one anticipated we would be working through the night to secure the canal and prevent a catastrophic disaster," he said.

Volunteers from the Mid Devon community stayed up through the night to help those in need.

Elderly residents took refuge in the village hall which became a co-ordination centre for police and other services.

Barrie Corden, chairman of the village hall, said it was the "most serious emergency incident" he had witnessed in the community.

John Gates, a village resident, said he was "gobsmacked" by what had happened to the canal.

Fellow resident Stephen Harvey, who walks by the canal every day, said: "It's a terrible incident to happen on such a beautiful canal."

Festive lights switch-on cancelled

Safety fears meant another Christmas lights switch-on was cancelled in Devon yesterday.

The event in Exeter had been scheduled for yesterday evening but was postponed due to the exceptional weather circumstances and the safety of spectators and participants.

John Harvey, Exeter city centre manager said: "We've had to take the decision to cancel as the weather forecast is just too wet and windy to continue safely.

"It's disappointing for all those that have worked so hard to put the event and programme of entertainment together but we hope everyone will join us to celebrate the countdown to Christmas."

The switch-on in Princesshay Square has been rescheduled for 6.15pm today with live entertainment from 4.30pm.

The cancellation in Exeter followed similar disappointment in Plymouth which was also due to hold its festivities last night.

The weather also put paid to visits to Castle Drogo and Lydford Gorge which were closed by the National Trust.

Cardinham Woods, near Bodmin, which are owned by the Forestry Commission, were also closed because of the risk of falling trees.

Rail disruption as flooding damages track

Rail travellers heading in and out of the region faced major problems yesterday as services between Exeter and Taunton – part of the mainline between Penzance and Paddington – were suspended because of flooding. A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We have had a serious wash-out of ballast at Cowley Bridge which has damaged the track and both up and down lines remain blocked. "The ballast has been washed out on a 220-yard section of track and we have no information at the moment as to when the line will reopen again." Services from Exeter to London's Waterloo, a diversionary route in case of problems elsewhere on the network, were affected by flood damage between Pinhoe and Honiton with services having to terminate at Yeovil. Meanwhile, problems were also reported on the Barnstaple branch line in North Devon. The spokesman added: "We have been using that route to take equipment up to the Tarka line where improvement works have started. "It is possible we will have to halt work on that and move some of the engineers to help repair track elsewhere." A spokesman for First Great Western, which operates services between Penzance and Paddington, said it was having to bus passengers between Exeter and Taunton. "We have been advised that is unsafe to operate some services and we are having to run trains at reduced speeds in other locations," he said. "We are running a replacement bus service between Exeter and Taunton, although the road conditions are not that great. "We would advise everyone to check before they travel either on our website or with national rail inquiries." Access to Plymouth railway station was restricted after a section of metal roof was torn loose by the strong winds.

PICTURES: Devon and Cornwall hit by flooding misery with more heavy rain on the way

Tamar Bridge closed to high-sided vehicles as wind batters Plymouth

PICTURES: Grand Western Canal bank collapses under weight of water

Plymouth pub badly flooded days after finishing £100,000 refit

PICTURES: Flooding in Budeligh Salterton

GALLERY: Heavy rain causes flooding across Devon

PICTURES: Devon floods: Tamerton Foliot under water, major roads closed

GALLERY: Flooding in Dawlish and Starcross area

An Exeter carity has announced a major new appointment.
Hospiscare has announced the appointment of Dame Suzi Leather as a vice-president of the charity, which provides end-of-life care for local patients and their families across Exeter, east and mid Devon.
Dame Suzi stood down from her position as the chair of the Charity Commission in July, aspost she held for six years.
Previously she was chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in January 2006.
A graduate of the University of Exeter, Dame Suzi lives in the city with her husband and three children and says she was honoured to have been asked to become a part of a local charity she has long held in high regard.
"I am delighted to be joining Hospiscare, a truly wonderful local charity now in its 30th year, that has grown to support over 2,000 people – and their friends and families – every year," she said.
"I am conscious that Hospiscare would not be able to provide its very special care without the support of the local community and I look forward to adding my voice to that support and helping Hospiscare to continue to help people live well until they die."
Patrick Beasley, the chairman of trustees at Hospiscare, welcomed Dame Suzi to the charity.
He said: "We are highly delighted that Dame Suzi Leather has agreed to become a vice-president of Hospiscare.
"She has supported the charity for some years and now comes with a wealth of   experience and knowledge through her chairmanship of the Charity Commission.
"She brings a tangible enthusiasm for being involved more closely in our work to relieve the distress of patients at the end of their lives  and that of their families and carers."

EXMOUTH Harriers are confident Sunday's Bicton Blister race will still go ahead despite the wet weather.
The annual race, which starts and finishes at Bicton College in East Devon, is due to get under way at 11am.
As well as the 10-mile Blister, there is a 4.5-mile Lite for runners, both of which are multi-terrain.
Entries will be taken on the day, with the Blister coasting £15 and the Lite £13. EA affiliated runners get £2 off.
However, Harriers officials have advised runners to allow extra time for getting to the college.

Firefighters called in to douse car fire in Acorn car park at junction of South Street, Western Way and Holloway Street. Huge plumes of black smoke. Car well alight amid concern that fire could spread to other cars. If you have pictures of fire send to mbyrne@expressandecho.co.uk

A large fire has broken out at the Magdalen Street car park at the junction of Western Way and South Steet in Exeter city centre.
Firefighters are on the scene, and at least one car was gutted by the blaze. Firefighters moved other vehicles and doused the flames.
A huge plume of black smoke hung over the scene.
Eyewitness Connor Rowe, 20, said: "On my way intro town when I saw  flames coming from a car in the car park. The fire service were there already and got the job done."
More follows shortly.