1. Home
  2. Flood Warnings
  3. Devon
  4. Lower Taw Area

Flood Alert Info - Lower Taw area

Area Description

Lower River Taw and its tributaries from Newnham Bridge to Barnstaple, including Umberleigh, Chittlehampton, Swimbridge and Bishop's Tawton areas.
This is a Flood Alert Area. For this area the highest level of flood notification that you will receive is a Flood Alert. No Flood Warnings or Severe Flood Warnings are issued for this area.
Get a Flood Insurance Quote for your Home
Get a Quote  
There are no Flood Alerts currently in force for this area. See below for historical flood warnings.
View current UK flood warnings

Area Covered by this Flood Alert

The orange highlighted area on the map below outlines the area covered by this Flood Alert.
Download the Flood Assist App
Download the Flood Assist App to view current flood warnings, check your flood risk, and create your digital flood action plan.
Download Our App
Sign up for Live Flood Warnings & Alerts
Sign up to receive live flood warning and alert updates for your location using data from the EA, SEPA and NRW.
Sign Up for Flood Warnings

Flood Alert History

Number of historic Flood Alerts that have previously been recorded for this area:
We can provide a Flood Insurance Quote for properties in the Barnstaple area
Get a Quote  

Historical Flood Alerts for this Area

Flood Alert issued on 16 Oct 2024 17:03
River Taw
Flooding is possible on Wednesday evening following heavy rain throughout most of today, with further spells of rain forecast until later on Wednesday evening. Following prolonged rainfall, catchments are wet. Rivers are expected to remain high leading to flooding of low-lying land and roads . Some areas may see surface water flooding. Weather conditions are expected to improve from overnight Wednesday into Thursday. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels. This message will be updated on Thursday or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 28 Mar 2024 16:04
River Taw
Flooding is possible on Thursday. Heavy rainfall overnight and today in the Lower River Taw Area has caused water levels in the area's rivers to rise with flooding to low lying land and roads close to rivers possible. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels. This message will be updated on Friday 29th March or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 25 Feb 2024 11:37
River Taw
Flooding is possible on Sunday afternoon, 25/02/2024. Heavy rainfall has fallen and is continuing to fall in the Lower Taw area. This has meant that the river levels are rising in response to the heavy rainfall. We expect the river to remain high throughout today and overnight. Take care near areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and will be update this message if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 18 Feb 2024 11:09
River Taw
Flooding remains possible this morning, 18/02/2024, with levels in the Rivers Lower Taw Area high after heavy rain which fell overnight. No more significant rainfall is forecast today and levels are expected to fall this afternoon. Levels suggest that there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to rivers. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels. This message will be updated on Monday, 19/02/2024, or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 17 Feb 2024 16:48
River Taw
Flooding is possible overnight on Saturday 17th February into early Sunday morning. There is heavy rainfall forecast in the River Lower Taw Area on Saturday evening. River levels are expected to rise and peak in the early hours of Sunday morning. Flooding to low lying land and roads close to the river is possible. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels. This message will be updated on Sunday morning or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 4 Jan 2024 13:59
River Taw
Flooding is possible this afternoon, Thursday 04/01/24. Heavy rain has fallen across Devon, and is expected to continue until early Friday morning. This means that river levels will remain high for the next couple of days as the catchments are already very wet. Levels suggest that there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to rivers. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages. This message will be updated by the afternoon of Friday 05/01/24, or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 2 Jan 2024 16:56
River Taw
Flooding continues to remain possible from this afternoon, Tuesday 02/01/24 and overnight into Wednesday. Over the last week we have seen heavy rain fall across Devon, and further spells of rain, which may be heavy in places are expected on Tuesday evening and overnight. This means that river levels in the River Taw area will rise, and will remain high for the next couple of days, as heavy rain is falling on already wet catchments. Levels suggest that there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to the river. Possible Flood Warnings may be issued if necessary. More heavy rain accompanied by very windy conditions on Tuesday night through to Wednesday will cause river levels to rise again. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We will continue to monitor the river levels. This message will be updated by the afternoon on Wednesday 03/01/24, or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 1 Jan 2024 17:32
River Taw
Flooding is possible from this evening, Monday 01/01/24 and overnight into Tuesday. Over the last week we have seen heavy rain fall across Devon, and further spells of rain, which may be heavy in places are expected on Monday evening and overnight. This means that river levels in the River Taw area will rise, and will remain high for the next couple of days, as heavy rain is falling on already wet catchments. Levels suggest that there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to the river. Possible Flood Warnings may be issued if necessary. More heavy rain accompanied by very windy conditions on Tuesday will cause river levels to rise again. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages. This message will be updated by the afternoon on Tuesday 02/01/24, or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 2 Nov 2023 13:44
River Taw
Flooding is possible in this area. Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one. Environment Agency Flood Warning Officers set the river or tidal levels that have triggered this message. During industrial action this message has been automatically issued based on rising river or tidal levels.

Flood Alert issued on 2 Nov 2023 13:20
River Taw
Flooding is possible in this area.  Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one. Environment Agency Flood Warning Officers set the river or tidal levels that have triggered this message. During industrial action this message has been automatically issued based on rising river or tidal levels.

Flood Alert issued on 31 Mar 2023 15:30
River Taw
Flooding is possible in this area. Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one. Environment Agency Flood Warning Officers set the river or tidal levels that have triggered this message. During industrial action this message has been automatically issued based on rising river or tidal levels.

Flood Alert issued on 11 Jan 2023 17:17
River Taw
Flooding is possible in this area. Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one. The Environment Agency Flood Warning System has issued this message based on rising river or tidal levels. We are temporarily automating our messages due to industrial action.

Flood Alert issued on 25 Dec 2021 20:02
River Taw
Persistent rain falling throughout Saturday has caused levels on the lower River Taw to steadily rise. Flooding of low lying land and roads close to the river is possible this evening and overnight in to Sunday 26/12/2021. No flooding to properties is currently forecast. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and will update this message on Sunday, 26/12/2021, or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 30 Oct 2021 14:40
River Taw
Flooding is possible overnight Saturday into Sunday. Over the last 48 hours we have seen heavy rainfall in the Lower Taw area and further rain is expected. This will mean that the River Umberleigh will remain high. Levels suggest that there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to the river from Sunday morning. We expect rivers to remain high throughout the day on Sunday. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages in this location. This message will be updated on Sunday afternoon or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 29 Oct 2021 15:17
River Taw
Flooding is possible overnight Friday in to Saturday. Over the last 24 hours we have seen heavy rainfall in the Lower Taw area and further rain is expected. This will mean that the River Umberleigh will rise. Bankfull conditions are expected with some localised riverside field flooding from Friday evening. We expect rivers to remain high throughout the night in to Saturday. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages in this location. This message will be updated on Saturday evening or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 28 Oct 2021 18:22
River Taw
Flooding is possible from 5am on Friday morning onwards. Further rainfall is forecast to fall in the Lower Taw area which will cause water levels in the River Umberleigh to rise. Bankfull conditions are expected with some localised riverside field flooding. Further rainfall is expected from Friday evening into Saturday morning. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages in this location. This message will be updated on Friday afternoon or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 30 Jan 2021 15:08
River Taw
A flood alert remains in force to reflect continuing high river levels and further rain expected during Saturday. The outlook remains unsettled with further showers expected across North Devon. Low lying ground, roads and properties are still at risk of flooding. We are monitoring the situation and will provide an update on Sunday, or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 30 Jan 2021 07:55
River Taw
Flooding is possible on Saturday morning. Heavy rainfall has fallen overnight in the Dartmoor area. Rivers are expected to rise, and there will likely be flooding to low lying land and roads close to the river. Further flood warnings are possible in the area, and we will update the situation as it changes. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are monitoring river levels and are ready to respond as required. This message will be updated on Saturday afternoon or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 27 Dec 2020 16:02
River Taw
Frontal rainfall associated with Storm Bella has cleared and river levels will begin to fall this evening. However, heavy wintry showers of rain, sleet and wet snow are expected to cross the area overnight. Catchments are saturated and sensitive to further rainfall, so this is likely to keep river levels high into Monday morning. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages in this location. This message will be updated on Monday or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 27 Dec 2020 07:27
River Taw
Flooding is possible across the Lower Taw area. Heavy rain has fallen across the area overnight and is causing rivers in the area to rise rapidly. There is likely to be flooding to low lying land and roads close to rivers. We expect rivers in this area to remain high throughout today though no flooding to properties is forecast and warnings are not expected to be issued. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages in this location. This message will be updated on Sunday evening or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 23 Dec 2020 17:40
River Taw
Flooding is possible from Wednesday evening and overnight into Thursday morning. Over the last few hours we have seen heavy rainfall in the Devon area which has meant that the River Exe is now rising. The levels suggest that there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to rivers and around bridges from 4pm on Wednesday. We expect the rivers to remain high overnight and into Thursday, when there is a possibility for further heavy rain and further flood warnings to be issued. We will update the situation as it changes. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages in this location. This message will be updated on Thursday or earlier if the situation changes

Flood Alert issued on 18 Dec 2020 13:22
River Taw
Flooding is possible during Friday 18th December through to the morning of Saturday 19th December. Showers are forecast for Friday morning. This will turn into heavy and intense rainfall during Friday afternoon, evening and into the early hours of Saturday. Widespread totals of up to 35mm, with localised totals up to 70mm are forecast within a 15 hour period from Friday afternoon. Areas of higher ground such as Dartmoor may see isolated totals of up to 100mm in 15 hours. Rivers are expected to respond quickly to this rainfall. Flooding of low-lying land and roads close to rivers is possible. Surface water may be deep, especially where leaves have blocked the drains. Further heavy rainfall is also forecast for Monday into Tuesday. We are monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for, and clearing blockages. This message will be updated on Saturday morning or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 18 Dec 2020 10:23
River Taw
Flooding is possible during Friday 18th December through to the morning of Saturday 19th December. Showers are forecast for Friday morning. This will turn into heavy and intense rainfall during Friday afternoon, evening and into the early hours of Saturday. Widespread totals of up to 35mm, with localised totals up to 70mm are forecast within a 15 hour period from Friday afternoon. Areas of higher ground such as Dartmoor may see isolated totals of up to 100mm in 15 hours. Rivers are expected to respond quickly to this rainfall. Flooding of low-lying land and roads close to rivers is possible. Surface water may be deep, especially where leaves have blocked the drains. Further heavy rainfall is also forecast for Monday into Tuesday. We are monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for, and clearing blockages. This message will be updated on Friday morning or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 4 Oct 2020 17:44
River Taw
Flooding is possible this evening (Sunday 4th October), overnight and into Monday 5th October. Heavy rainfall is currently passing through Devon. Rivers are responding quickly and levels will rise throughout Sunday evening into Monday. Flooding of low lying land in the floodplain and roads close to rivers is expected. The main areas of concern are Bishops Tawton, Swimbridge, Umberleigh and Landkey. We expect rivers to remain higher than usual throughout the remainder of the weekend and into Monday as further heavy rainfall is anticipated. Please take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages. We will update this message as the situation changes. Flood warnings will be issued when necessary.

Flood Alert issued on 9 Mar 2020 15:39
River Taw
Flooding is possible overnight on Monday the 9th of March into Tuesday. Rain is forecast this evening and overnight. River catchments are still saturated after recent storms and river levels are expected to rise overnight and into the morning. Forecast levels suggest that there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to the river from early Tuesday morning. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels. This message will be updated on Tuesday morning or earlier if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 29 Feb 2020 10:44
River Taw
Flooding is expected on Saturday 29th February The heavy and persistent rainfall experienced in the early hours of Saturday morning has now cleared the area, with wintry showers to follow throughout the day. The ground in many areas is totally saturated and the rainfall has caused rivers to rise and they are expected to remain high throughout Saturday. Flooding to low lying land and roads is still expected, and flood waters may be deep and fast flowing within this area. River levels have begun to stabilise and are slowly beginning to fall in upstream locations. Remain safe and be aware of your local surroundings. We will be closely monitoring the situation and this message will be updated on Saturday evening.

Flood Alert issued on 28 Feb 2020 15:49
River Taw
Flooding is possible overnight Friday (28th February) into Saturday (29th February). Bands of heavy rain are forecast to pass through Devon during Friday and into Saturday with a risk of some particularly localised bursts. River catchments are still saturated after the recent storms, and river levels are beginning to rise. The main areas of concern are Bishops Tawton, Swimbridge, Umberleigh, Landkey, where levels suggest that there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to the river. We expect the rivers to remain high throughout the night and into Saturday. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels. This message is based on the latest forecast and will be updated when the situation changes. Flood warnings will be issued when necessary.

Flood Alert issued on 16 Feb 2020 17:16
River Taw
Flooding is possible on Sunday into Monday. Heavy rain has fallen over the last 48 hours and river levels remain high. Specific areas of concern are low lying land and roads close to rivers. Heaviest rain has cleared this area but rain showers are forecast for the next few days. This will cause river levels to remain high into Monday. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and this message will be updated on Monday or if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 16 Feb 2020 07:48
River Taw
Flooding is possible from Sunday into Monday. There has been heavy rainfall overnight into Sunday, and river levels are remaining high. Specific areas of concern, are low lying land and roads close to rivers. Rain is forecast to continue throughout Sunday morning, with scattered showers over Sunday afternoon. This will cause river levels to remain high into Monday. Take care near the areas of concern, and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels, and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages in this location. This message will be updated if the situation changes.

Flood Alert issued on 15 Feb 2020 20:41
River Taw
Flooding is possible on Saturday evening and into Sunday. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue overnight and river levels are likely to respond quickly. Areas of concern are low lying land and roads close to rivers, which are expected to flood. We expect the river levels to remain high throughout Sunday 16 February. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will update this message if the situation changes

Flood Alert issued on 27 Dec 2019 11:15
River Taw
Flooding is possible to low lying land and roads close to the river. River Levels have reached their highest levels and are slowly beginning to fall. However, river levels will remain high throughout most of today. The weather outlook for the next few days is for dry conditions. This message will be updated on Friday evening.

Flood Alert issued on 27 Dec 2019 00:11
River Taw
Flooding is possible on Thursday evening and overnight into Friday. A band of heavy rain is forecast across Devon this evening and overnight. As river levels are already high and the ground is saturated, this rainfall may result in flooding to low lying land and roads. We are constantly monitoring river levels and this message will be updated on Friday 27 December 2019 or earlier if the situation changes. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions.

Flood Alert issued on 18 Dec 2019 15:27
River Taw
River levels are forecast to rise across Devon as a result of heavy rainfall this afternoon and overnight into Thursday. Consequently, flooding of roads and low-lying land is possible widely throughout Devon. Several periods of heavy rain are likely from Wednesday afternoon until early Friday. 30 to 50 mm of rain is likely to accumulate quite widely during this time, with 60 to 90 mm over some south-facing hills. Overall accumulation of rain on saturated ground means we expect river levels to remain high for the coming days. Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are constantly monitoring river levels and have staff across the area checking for and clearing blockages. This message will be updated tomorrow, 19 December, or earlier if the situation changes.