STRONG winds and heavy rain led to road closures and flood warnings across the Okehampton area on December 23.

The winds managed to blow off the roof of an out-building at the Tally Ho! pub on Market Street in Hatherleigh. The out-building roof hit a number of other buildings nearby, causing further damage to a roof and chimneys.

West Devon Borough Council's building control team visited Hatherleigh to assess the structural stability of the damaged properties. The council announced the road would remain closed until the buildings are deemed to be safe. The council's housing team was on standby to help the residents affected but they had arranged their own temporary accommodation.

Hatherleigh saw some of the worst of the rain too, with six properties on Park Road, and other properties at Vicks Meadow, Running Moor Lane, Moor View, Torrington Road, Northlew Road, and Deckport Cross affected by flooding.

In North Tawton, fire crews provided booms to divert rising floodwater, which was affecting properties. A property in Petrockstowe was also affected by floodwater, while a property at Way Hill in Chagford had 18 inches of floodwater pumped from the cellar of the property.

Road travel was affected across the area. The A30 was closed both ways due to flooding between Okehampton Services and Whiddon Down. The A30 at Sourton was also partially blocked, with hazardous driving conditions due to flooding at Sourton Cross.

The A3072 road between North Tawton and Crediton also flooded, between Bow and Copplestone.