RNLI issues safety warning over 'powerful' waves
PAThe RNLI has issued a warning over the dangers of predicted large sea swells which could cause sudden, surging waves that catch people unaware.
The lifeboat charity said surf forecasts were predicting a 15-minute gap between sets of "very large, very powerful waves" on Friday, particularly during the middle of the day.
People walking on beaches or along sea fronts could face waves racing 656ft to 984ft (200m to 300m) up the beach, or topping over sea or harbour walls.
The RNLI advised people to keep away from wet and slippery cliff edges, sea fronts and beaches. It comes after the Met Office issued a yellow rain warning from 09:00 on Friday to 06:00 GMT on Saturday.
The latest weather warnings follow the region being battered by Storm Ingrid on Saturday and Storm Chandra on Monday and Tuesday, which caused widespread flooding and damage.
On Friday, the UK Met Office said it had been the second wettest January for Cornwall since 1836, and the ninth wettest for Devon.
Environment Agency flood warnings and alerts remain in place for the region and the Met Office has issued an additional rain warning from 12:00 on Monday until 09:00 on Tuesday.
David Braine, BBC South West senior broadcast meteorologist, said that while some dry weather is predicted for the weekend, there is still a risk of heavy showers.
"There is more rain to come on Monday afternoon with the potential of another 20 to 30mm of rain by the end of the day, as much as 50mm over Dartmoor," he said.
"So far this January many locations across the South West have had over double their normal monthly rainfall, over the moors as much as three times what we would normally see."
'Particularly worrying'
A flood warning is in place for the River Hayle in Cornwall, from Relubbus to St Erth, between Friday and Saturday.
The Environment Agency (EA) said the main areas of concern were properties and low lying areas around the bottom of Tregembo Hill, Green Lane, Battery Hill Playground, Chapel Hill and Chenhalls Road.
It said river levels were forecast to be at their highest between 10:00 and 14:00 on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Newquay Coastguard Search and Rescue Team warned people at Crantock about an "unstable deep channel" which had been cut into the beach by heavy rain.
Newquay Coastguard Search and Rescue TeamSteve Instance, RNLI water safety lead for the South West, said the the long lull - or swell period - between the waves was "particularly worrying".
"There is a risk this could catch walkers out and in the worst case sweep them off their feet into the sea," he said.
"We've seen so many times how easy it is to get caught out by the sea, and we know that nearly half of people who die at the coast never intend to go into the water."
"If you do plan to visit the coast or a waterside location, we urge you stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea, let someone know where you are going and carry a means of calling for help."
He added: "Your life is never worth a photo, don't go taking photos of it hitting into the beaches or seawalls, stay back and stay safe."
'Take extra care'
More than 80 properties have been flooded across more than 30 locations, according to Devon County Council.
Councillor Dan Thomas, cabinet member for highways, said: "The scale of the challenge is immense, with thousands of potholes and road defects caused by the recent storms.
"We're prioritising the most urgent repairs and continuing to work closely with our partners to ensure the safety of residents and road users.
"We urge everyone to take extra care, avoid driving through floodwater and report any issues to the council as soon as possible."
