Storm Benjamin 'to bring wind and heavy rain'

A map of Devon and Cornwall. There are grey boxes with High Town, Truro, Hartland, Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay and Taunton written in them. There is are two yellow shapes over Devon and Cornwall. With a yellow and black box that says "Yellow" and "Wind" in the top left. Image source, Met Office
Image caption,

A yellow weather warning for wind and rain has been issued for Thursday

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Heavy rain and wind gusts up to 60mph (97 km/h) are forecast for the South West on Thursday due to Storm Benjamin.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from 06:00 to 15:00 BST.

It is also warning of heavy rain from 00:00 until 21:00 in Devon and Cornwall as Storm Benjamin, named by Météo France, is due to hit.

Wet and windy conditions may cause travel disruption, flooding, power cuts and damage to buildings within the alert areas, according to the Met Office.

The Environment Agency has issued six flood alerts, external, for the Helford and Fal rivers, north Cornwall Rivers, River Lynher and Upper River Tamar and for the south coast, while there is one flood alert in Devon, external, on the River Teign.

Rainfall of 50 mm (1.97 inches) or more is expected in some areas, including north Devon and Cornwall.

The yellow alert for wind predicts gusts up to 45mph (72.42 km/h) in the South West which could reach 60mph (96.56 km/h) along exposed coasts and headlands.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: "Thursday is set to be a challenging day for drivers, with the evening commute likely to be a very wet and windy affair for many.

'Extra vigilant'

"We urge drivers to slow down according to the conditions, leaving a much bigger gap between themselves and the vehicle in front, and be wary of the buffeting effect of the wind when they pass high-sided vehicles."

He added flooding was a "very real possibility" and urged drivers not to take risks by driving through standing water.

"It's always better to turn around and find another route," he said.

"Those taking to the roads on Friday should also be extra vigilant, as branches and other debris may have been blown on to roads."

The planned installation of Charlestown Harbour's new lock gate in Cornwall has been postponed due to the weather conditions.

The team is now aiming to install the gate during the next suitable spring tide on 3 November.

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