[WR] Haytor 30/10/05 (SERIOUS RAIN and local flooding)


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This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
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30/10/05 1700 GMT

In the 24 hours up to 1700 30/10/05 I measured 50.3 mm rain.
The monthly total now stands at an impressive 258.1 mm (147% of ELTA).

The rain this morning was awesome. At 0900 the lane outside our house was a
river with debris (branches, leaves and other stuff) being washed downhill. My
garden and house were OK as they slope down to the lane. On the moor where the
river Lemon has its source and usually trickles underneath the B3387 road, it
was running in full flow across the road and down past Moorland House. Driving
up over the hill to Widecombe the roads were awash with fresh streams tumbling
off the moor onto the road and running down the sides. We turned off to go to
New Bridge on the Dart to start our Sunday walk, we had to drive very slowly
there was standing water and at times the car had a bow wave and the engine was
getting very wet. I have never seen the moor so wet, water was tumbling down
every nook and cranny. At New Bridge the Dart was awesome. It was in full spate
with a tremendous current. Anybody falling in would have drowned or been dashed
against rocks and it was rising fast, already over its banks. Teams of canoeists
were out in force looking forward to the conditions. By 1000 the rain had
stopped and we began our walk up the Dart to Ponsworthy and then up to Cornden
Tor. Needless to say we all got wet and had to make several detours to keep away
from the Dart. Up top is was drier but very windy with a near gale. Coming back
this afternoon conditions had eased but the Dart was still in spate and roaring
down the valley. Thankfully the river Lemon was in its normal place and the
lower dewpoint air has helped to dry things off. But the moor can take no more
water and any more rain is going to cause problems in Devon.

Mind you only another 42 mm and I will have my second 300mm month since coming
here in April 2002.

What a day !

Will.
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" Come to Dartmoor and see the rain :-) "
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A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto: will@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www: www.lyneside.demon.co.uk/Haytor/automatic/Current_Vantage_Pro.htm

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
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