The Environment Agency, which is a government department, will offer new flood warning services in Dawlish from tomorrow Wednesday 18 August.

It comes after Dawlish experienced significant flooding in 2012 and in previous years.

More than 400 properties in the town will be automatically registered to receive flood warnings for Dawlish Water (also known as the Brook).

What should I do if I get a warning?

There are three types of warning: 'Flood Alert', 'Flood Warning', and 'Severe Flood Warning'.

This is what you should do for each type of warning:

1. Flood Alert

- Prepare. Pack a bag with medicines, insurance documents, and anything else you don't want to lose.

2. Flood Warning

- Act. Turn off gas, water, and electricity and move family and pets to safety.

3. Severe Flood Warning

- Immediate danger. You should follow advice from emergency services.

Ben Johnstone, Flood and Coastal Erosion Manager for Devon, Cornwall, and Isles of Scilly, said: "We know the devastating impact that flooding can have, which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority.

"However, the climate emergency means we cannot prevent all flooding – so we're working to make communities resilient to future flooding."

An additional 62,000 properties at risk of flooding will receive flood warnings between now and the end of 2022.

The Environment Agency is also encouraging people to register directly with them by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188, or visiting https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings where they can register preferred contact details.

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