Cornwall’s emergency response team, the Tactical Command Group, led by Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith, met today to coordinate reaction to widespread havoc caused by torrential rain and high winds.

The group consists of Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Council emergency planning, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, road agency CORMAC, the Environment Agency, Highways England South West, Cornwall Airport Newquay, the Met Office and the military.

They organised clear-up actions and diversions over the road network, where, in south east Cornwall, the A374 at Polbathic was only part open between Trerulefoot and Torpoint.

The B3254 at Liskeard was closed for parts of the day. Motorists reported ‘multiple rivers’ pouring off Caradon Hill.

The A374 at Sheviock had water running off farmland and the river diverting across the road. The road was passable with extreme care.

The railways reported widespread delays and the line between Par and Newquay was closed by flooding yesterday morning.

The Tamar Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles during the morning. The Torpoint Ferry operated a reduced service.

Environment Agency flood warnings in place yesterday included on the River Lynher, from Berriowbridge to Notterbridge, and the River Tamar, from Greystone Bridge to Cotehele.

It was hoped the situation would improve during Saturday evening as rain eased.

Forecasters predict a mixture of rain, heavy showers and strong winds from Sunday until Tuesday.