The owner of a popular restaurant and farm shop in Devon reports sustaining approximately £25,000 in losses from severe flooding triggered by recent storms in south-west England.

Business Devastated by River Overflow

Chris Wright, who runs Otterton Mill in Budleigh Salterton, describes the past few days as particularly challenging after his establishment was forced to shut down due to widespread water damage. Located beside the River Otter and featuring a historic working watermill, the site saw all its equipment ruined when floods struck on Tuesday, following Storm Chandra on Monday.

The restaurant remained closed through Wednesday but managed to resume operations on Saturday. Wright highlights the absence of insurance coverage as a major setback, amplifying the financial strain from both the damage and the closure period.

“If we were on a hill, it’d be great, but we’d be a windmill, not a watermill,” Wright stated. “The floor went under, and we’ve lost a lot of equipment. It’s been a tough few days for us. Our running total is pushing £25,000 in losses just in equipment and stock, let alone the fact we’ve been closed for a few days.”

Ongoing Flood Risks and Travel Disruptions

Storm Chandra’s impacts continue to affect the South West region. Officials report five active flood warnings in Devon and two in Cornwall, with the Environment Agency noting that river levels will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.

Transportation faces significant interruptions as well. Rail lines between Exeter St David’s and Barnstaple, as well as Exeter St David’s and Okehampton, stay closed through the weekend, with replacement bus services in operation due to flooding. Services between Liskeard and Looe, and Par and Newquay, are also suspended until the end of Sunday, causing widespread delays.

A yellow weather warning for rain remains in effect from 12:00 GMT on Monday until 09:00 on Tuesday, urging residents to prepare for potential further downpours.