Devon faces rising pothole backlog and flood damage after Storms Ingrid and Chandra

Devon is continuing to deal with the severe aftermath of Storm Ingrid last weekend and Storm Chandra during the week, which together caused widespread flooding, travel disruption and extensive damage to the county’s highways network.

Devon County Council (DCC) flood reconnaissance teams, working alongside district councils and the Environment Agency, are still assessing the hardest-hit areas across the county.

So far, more than 80 properties have been confirmed flooded across over 30 locations, with officials warning the number is likely to increase as further reports are received.

Throughout the week, roads in East, Mid and South Devon were among the worst affected, with deep floodwater leaving multiple routes impassable.

Major roads including the A30 near Ottery St Mary, the A3052, and a number of local routes were forced to close, while emergency services rescued stranded motorists in locations such as Axminster and Newton Poppleford.

Flooding disruption also impacted education, with more than 80 schools closed or partially closed on Tuesday alone.

In response to the scale of damage, DCC said it has mobilised hundreds of highways engineers across Devon. In a single day, the council received more than 200 calls reporting road problems.

Additional resources have now been brought in, with around 50 teams working to repair potholes and storm-related highway damage - work which is expected to continue through the weekend.

DCC says there is currently a backlog of nearly 2,900 pothole repairs, all linked to the recent storms, with the figure continuing to rise.

A further 1,600 reports of road damage are awaiting assessment. Inspectors are dealing with an average of 620 public reports per day, totalling around 2,500 reports this week.

Residents are being encouraged to report defects online, but are being asked not to submit repeat reports for the same location, as it can slow responses to other critical areas.

Flood risk management teams are also gathering information from affected communities and urging residents to report flooding and road issues through online forms and the council’s customer service centre.

During the week, the River Otter at Ottery St Mary reached its highest recorded level, prompting a rare severe flood warning and leading to evacuations and property damage.

Emergency services rescued people from vehicles trapped in floodwater, while several communities reported significant disruption, including residents being cut off and businesses, such as riverside cafés, flooded.

The Environment Agency has warned that with the ground saturated, river levels are expected to remain high for some time.

The unsettled weather is expected to continue and further flooding remains possible. Sunday is expected to be mainly dry, but more rain is forecast for Monday and Tuesday. The Flood Guidance Statement remains at amber and yellow for river and surface water flooding through the weekend.

Councillor Dan Thomas, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “Our teams are working around the clock to keep Devon moving and to support communities affected by flooding.

“The scale of the challenge is immense, with thousands of potholes and road defects caused by the recent storms. We’re prioritising the most urgent repairs and continuing to work closely with our partners to ensure the safety of residents and road users. We urge everyone to take extra care, avoid driving through floodwater, and report any issues to the council as soon as possible.”

Residents are also being reminded to stay alert for fallen trees and branches, particularly on minor roads, and never to drive through floodwater or swollen streams.

Drivers are advised to allow extra time for journeys, reduce speed and drive according to conditions. DCC also warned motorists never to assume a road has been salted, as rain can wash salt away, leaving roads prone to ice.

For updates, residents are advised to listen to local radio and follow @DevonAlert on X (Twitter) and Facebook. Flooding to property can be reported through the County Council’s online Flood Reporting Form, with more information available on Devon County Council’s winter travel webpages.

The latest flood warnings and alerts can be found via the Government’s flooding service website -  https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/location/devon