Officials issued eight new flood warnings in the region urging local residents to take “sensible precautions” against the continued bad weather.
Around 20mm (0.7in) of rain is expected to fall in the area today with downpours increasing in the north of England and eastern Scotland as tomorrow progresses.
The storms come as parts of England – including the South West – suffer one of the worst droughts since records began. The South East, East Anglia, Midlands and parts of Yorkshire have also been given official drought status.
Today, the EA warned the River Otter in Devon could break its banks in two locations as could the River Axe. The River Coly and the River Taw, in East and North Devon respectively, were also at risk from flooding at one location each while a further two flood warnings were issued for the River Char and the River Wriggle in Dorset.
Lower level warnings known as flood alerts, where the public is urged to keep a close eye on weather reports, were also issued for 21 areas within the South West. Two more were issued for the South East.
Meteorologists say the rain is a welcome sight for farmers across the country but warn that after 18 months of dry weather only prolonged periods of rain will succeed in replenishing groundwater levels.
A spokesman for the Met Office said: “The public should take extra care and be aware heavy rain may lead to localised surface water flooding and poor driving conditions.
“The rain will be accompanied by strong and gusty winds and, on higher hills and mountains, significant and heavy falls of snow will occur.
“There is no real end in sight to this unsettled period. We’ll certainly see showers across the country in the next seven days and longer forecasts suggest it will continue through much of May.”
Meanwhile, strong winds in Southsea, Hants, blew over a section of 70ft-high scaffolding from the Royal Beach Hotel, crushing six vehicles below and blocking the road. Part of a balcony also came down in the incident completely writing off some cars.
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