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Thursday, Aug 20, 2026

Storm Noa: Power cuts and trees down in Devon and Cornwall

Storm Noa: Power cuts and trees down in Devon and Cornwall

Hundreds of properties were left without power and trees blocked roads as Storm Noa swept across Devon and Cornwall.

Gusts of more than 60mph (96.5km/h) were recorded on the Isles of Scilly and the Met Office predicted wind speeds of up to 70mph (113km/h).

A tree fell onto a house in Raleigh Avenue, Cockington, Torquay.

Police said the road would stay closed for the remainder of the day and Thursday until the tree was cleared.

It confirmed the fire service, highways and a tree management team were in attendance, and everyone in the house was accounted for.

A female driver suffered a face injury after hitting a tree which had blocked the A377 in Devon


Police also confirmed a woman was left injured when her car hit a tree that had fallen across the A377 near Copplestone, Devon.

She sustained a facial injury and was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The tree, which had blocked the whole road, was cleared with the help of a local farmer and emergency services.

Tree surgeons cut down and removed a fallen tree in Plymouth


A fallen tree was also reported outside of the Plymouth Guildhall with three cars damaged when it landed on them.

At 14:00 BST, the National Grid said 268 properties in Devon were without power.

More than 700 homes were also reportedly without power in the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall.

It confirmed most properties in St Austell had its power restored, and would work to restore all homes by 21:30 BST.

It also said it aimed to restore all power to homes in Crediton by 22:30 BST.

A tree fell outside the Plymouth Guildhall onto three cars


Speed restrictions were in place on the main rail line between Plymouth and Penzance and drivers on the M5, A38 and A30 were urged to take extra care.

Stagecoach South West reported its buses were diverted in Torquay due to a fallen tree in Hawkins Avenue and other services were delayed in Plymouth.

Ed Parkinson captured the crashing waves in Ilfracombe on Wednesday


The National Trust closed some of its sites on Dartmoor.

In a yellow warning, which was valid until 20:00 BST, the Met Office predicted strong winds with severe coastal gales in the South and West.

It said the winds, low temperatures and heavy rain or showers were down to an Atlantic low-pressure system slowly moving eastwards across the UK.

High winds tore down tents in Cornwall


Some campers evacuated campsites as winds tore down tents.

Steve Ackland, of Monkey Tree Holiday Park near Newquay, said: "We had some fantastic weather last weekend and this is the flip side of that.

"It is what you expect in Cornwall in April and the fact that there are still so many people around is testament that it's a great place to be."

Others like holidaymaker Katrina Kay were sticking it out.

"If you go camping you know what you're letting yourself in for, it's not been bad really," she said.

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