House struck by lightning, roads flooded and Paignton Zoo closed as thunderstorm causes chaos across Torbay and South Devon

Torrential downpours, thunder and lightning caused chaos across Torbay and South Devon today.
The occupant of one house in Totnes was lucky to escaped injury when lightning struck the property.
Main roads were flooded as a month's worth of rain fell in just 24 hours.
The floods and accidents caused chaos on some roads including the main A380 into Newton Abbot and the South Devon Express Way. Paignton Zoo was forced to close for the day due to flooding.
Residents in Mortimer Avenue, Preston, Paignton, were among many having to sweep roads and drains outside their properties as the water flooded.
Resident Ed Bent said: "It was a nightmare and happened so quickly. We have all been out clearing drains and luckily the water has dispersed."
The Penn Inn flyover at Newton Abbot saw vehicles having to stop after a huge pool of rain water cut the road off.
Buckfastleigh and Ashburton fire crews were called to the lightning-hit house in Totnes at 1.44am. 

(Pictures from Buckfastleigh fire service were taken with full permission)
On arrival the occupant had vacated the property and was safely with neighbours sustaining only minor injuries from a ceiling falling down.

Crews used two breathing apparatus to check the upstairs of the property due to a strong smell of burning. It was evident a large surge had gone through the house and plug sockets had blown off of the wall, light switches where effected and a lamp was shattered.
A Buckfastleigh fire spokesman said: "As we were leaving this incident we were then mobilised to reports of a house being actively flooded by the intense downpour which came with the thunder storm.
"We had difficulty in reaching the property due to localised flooding so two firefighters donned water safety PPE and waded to the house to support the occupant.
"We utilised small tools, buckets and shovels to remove the majority of the water.
"We then installed the occupants flood defence barrier to prevent further flooding from the rain that was forecast."