Snowfall Causes Widespread Disruption Across Devon

Snowfall has resulted in a day of significant disruption throughout Devon, leading to the closure of some roads, over 130 schools, and power outages for thousands of residences. Anticipated drops in temperature are expected to create icy conditions on roadways, prompting police to advise motorists against non-essential travel, urging them to venture out only if “absolutely necessary”. Forecasters reported that snow accumulated across the region, reaching depths of up to 7.8in (20cm) on Dartmoor, exceeding initial predictions. On multiple roads, traffic came to a standstill, and police issued a caution regarding abandoned vehicles. Devon County Council stated that 133 educational institutions had either fully or partially ceased operations. National Grid reported that more than 3,700 households experienced power loss, with Sidmouth, Moretonhampstead, Crediton, Honiton, and Exeter identified as some of the impacted areas. National Grid confirmed its awareness of the outages and stated it was actively engaged in efforts to reinstate electricity supplies. Devon County Council announced that gritting vehicles have been extensively deployed throughout the county and will be dispatched once more prior to tomorrow’s rush hour, as snow is expected to transition into ice. A yellow warning for ice has been issued by the Met Office, remaining in effect until 10:00 GMT on Friday. “Some vehicles on minor untreated roads are still in situ,” said Ch Insp Dean Drury from Devon and Cornwall Police. He further advised that motorists should anticipate icy patches this evening as temperatures decrease. He concluded by saying, “If you don’t need to drive, don’t.” Despite the widespread disruption, moments of joy were also observed, such as three-year-old Elsie-May experiencing snow for the first time. Chloe Thompson, Elsie-Mae’s mother from Newton Abbot, described her daughter’s initial steps in the snow as “so exciting”. While singing ‘Do you want to build a snowman?’ to her father, they created a memorable experience for the young child. Chloe remarked, “A memory they’ll cherish forever.” For updates, follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.