The police are urging the public to "remain alert and stay safe" tonight with more heavy rain forecast for the whole of Cornwall during the hours of darkness.

Further rain is expected to fall widely overnight, peaking between 3.00am and 6.00am tomorrow morning (Sunday, December 23).

A police spokesperson said: "With this rain falling on already saturated areas, localised flooding and disruption to travel is expected. As the rain will fall during the hours of darkness the police are urging the public to be vigilant.

"Many people will be travelling home in the dark following Christmas social events and the message from the police is please take extra care."

Offical advice states:

  • If your journey is not necessary, delay it.
  • If you are travelling by road "drive to the conditions" and keep your speed down.
  • Driving in the dark in rural areas can be particularly hazardous in difficult conditions and depths of water can easily be underestimated - it only takes 30 cm of water to float a car, and you can quickly become stranded.
  • The rule is "if you do not know how the deep the water is, do not enter it."

Additionally, if on foot the advice states NOT to enter flood water – it is "exceptionally dangerous", and as little as 15 cm of water can knock a person off their feet.