Exeter roads remain flooded after Storm Chandra as travel chaos continues

Exeter City Council are asking residents to check routes carefully before travelling after a number of roads remain closed in and around Exeter. 

It follows heavy rainfall and flooding from Storm Chandra, which hit the region Monday night (January 26). 

Although floodwaters are receding in many areas, Streatham Drive in Exeter remains flooded and impassable on Wednesday morning (28 January). 

Other parts of the county continue to be affected by localised flooding, fallen trees, and river damage, with congestion reported on minor roads as drivers try to avoid closed routes.

In Exeter’s Beacon Heath, volunteers continue the clean-up at the Beacon Community Centre after floodwater entered the building earlier this week. 

The twice-weekly food banks held at the centre have been cancelled while recovery work continues, with visitors advised to use the Cowick Street or Cranbrook locations, which remain open.

Devon County Council has confirmed that the county is now moving into recovery mode following Storm Chandra, but officials are urging residents to travel only if essential in areas where flooding is known to be affecting roads. 

A yellow weather warning for rain is in place for Thursday, from lunchtime until midnight, raising concerns that already saturated ground could cause further disruption.

Road closures affecting Exeter and surrounding areas include: 

• Streatham Drive, which is impassable
• the A3052 Boshill Hill (awaiting confirmation as river levels fall)
• The road past Darts Farm
• Mill Street in Ottery St Mary
• Pinn Lane in Otterton
• Northmostown
• Sidmouth Road between Ottery and The Bowd, closed due to an uprooted tree undermining the road. 

Several major routes elsewhere in Devon are also closed, including parts of the A377, A396, and A382, as well as roads around Bovey Tracey, Buckfastleigh, and Crediton.

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Councillor Julian Brazil, Leader of Devon County Council, has issued an urgent call to the Government for additional funding to help communities recover from the storms. 

“We are experiencing more frequent and more severe storms. This is having a significant impact on people’s lives,” said Councillor Brazil.

“Our communities rely on resilient transport infrastructure to stay safe and to access work, education and essential services.

“Yet  once again this week, the consequences of decades of under-investment by the central government in Devon is being felt across our county.”

Storm Ingrid, which hit the county earlier, severely damaged the sea wall between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren, caused extensive damage to homes in Torcross, and undermined parts of the A379 Slapton coast road.

“We are experiencing more frequent and more severe storms. This is having a significant impact on people’s lives,” said Councillor Brazil. 

“Our communities rely on resilient transport infrastructure to stay safe and to access work, education, and essential services. Yet once again this week, the consequences of decades of under‑investment by the central government in Devon is being felt across our county.”

He praised council officers and emergency crews for their work but stressed that local authorities cannot manage the scale of damage caused by increasingly extreme weather without national support. 

“The aftermath of this weekend’s storm and now Storm Chandra makes it clear that we urgently need national support to repair the damage, strengthen our defences, and build long-term resilience,” he added.

Devon County Council advises drivers to never attempt to drive through floodwater or fast-moving water, as it is often deeper than it appears, and to seek alternative routes where possible. 

Motorists should also be alert to fallen trees and debris, allowing extra time for journeys, reducing speed, leaving more space between vehicles, and driving according to conditions. 

Residents are encouraged to check local radio, the Devon County Council website, and the Devon Alert service for updates. 

Flooding affecting properties can be reported through the council’s online flood reporting form.