Holidaymakers urged to be ready for flash floods

The Environment Agency has encouraged holidaymakers to "be aware of the risks" and how to prepare

People visiting Devon and Cornwall need to be prepared should flash floods occur, officials have said.

The Environment Agency has launched a campaign encouraging holidaymakers to "be aware of the risks" with information on how to prepare ahead of flooding.

The agency advised people near Devon and Cornwall's waterways to sign up to Met Office weather warnings and to have access to flood alerts.

Leonora Hansen, from the agency, said the "potentially life-saving advice" encouraged people to prepare for all scenarios.

She said: "It's really different to that kind of regular flooding that we see from rivers and the sea, so part of the reason of why it's so dangerous is it can basically happen really suddenly.

"What we would tell people to look out for is signs of that really serious risk-to-life type of flash flooding - really intense rapid onset rainfall over a short period of time."

Flash floods hit Boscastle, north Cornwall in 2004, leading to more than 50 people needing to be airlifted from their homes

The warning comes from the agency, supported by Exeter City Council, 20 years after the small village of Boscastle in Cornwall was hit by a flash flood.

The campaign encourages people to look out for warning signs including heavy rain and fast rising water levels, having a plan in case a flash flood occurs and knowing the evacuation procedures at the place they are staying.

"What you need to do is check whether there's any flooding, where it is that you're going on holiday.... check whether there are any alerts that are out in force.

"You could also sign up for Met Office severe weather warnings that will tell you whether there's a thunderstorm coming or any severe kind of weather," Ms Hansen added.