Officials say that “flooding is expected” to hit Devon and Cornwall over the next couple of days after a number of warnings were issued across the counties.

Owl, however, is reassured by Council Leader, John Hart’s solution which is to encourage a modern day dad’s army of individuals, villages and Parish Councils, where they care, to do more for themselves. Self-help is going to be the order of the day. No need to panic Captain Mainwaring.

George Thorpe  www.devonlive.com

The Environment Agency has activated six flood warnings and five other alerts in the region as rain continues to fall.

Weather forecasts from the Met Office, which is based in Exeter, for the counties both say the rain will continue to fall over Devon and Cornwall overnight.

The flooding is expected to hit mainly between tomorrow morning (March 11) and Thursday with the agency saying some areas could see wave heights increasing to over 5m and tides could be 500mm higher than predicted because of the weather conditions.

All six of the Environment Agency’s warnings, which are the second highest alert it issues and require “immediate action”, affect the coast of north Cornwall although one stretches out to Hartland Point in Devon.

Lands End, Chapel Porth, Copperhouse Pool Hayle, Wadebridge, Chapel Amble, The Rumps and the River Camel are among the areas mentioned in the warnings.

On top of these, the Environment Agency has issued alerts, its third level of warning, along parts of the south Cornish coast including Lizard Point, Gribbin Head and Rame Head.

An alert has also been issued in Plymouth and along the north Devon coast from Hartland Point to Lynmouth.

Within its warnings, the agency says it is “monitoring the situation” and will provide updates if the situation changes.