A FLOOD alert was issued by the Environment Agency for Exmoor residents on Wednesday afternoon (December 27).
The agency said it did not expect any properties to suffer flooding but people should be prepared just in case.
It was particularity concerned about the area around the middle River Exe, from Exebridge to Tiverton, and the Rivers Haddeo, Batherm, and Lowman.
A spokesperson said: “Overnight and today we have seen heavy rainfall in the River Exe area.
“This has meant that the River Exe is now rising, and river levels will remain high.
“Levels suggest that there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to the river.
“We expect the river to remain high throughout today, though no flooding to properties is forecast and warnings are not expected to be issued.
“Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions.”
The agency said residents should have a bag ready with vital items such as insurance documents and medications in case they needed to leave their home, check they knew how to turn off gas, electricity, and water mains supplies, and plan how they would move family and pets to safety if they needed to do so.
The spokesperson said the agency would constantly monitor river levels and had staff in the area to check for and clear blockages in the rivers.
They said an update would be given on Thursday (December 28), or sooner if the situation changed.
Flooding checks can be made here.
The Met Office forecast for the rest of Wednesday was for some clear spells followed by blustery heavy showers, merging to give longer spells of rain and carrying a risk of hail and thunder.
It would stay windy, with gales on the coast and gusty winds around any heavier showers. The temperature would remain mild with a minimum of 7C.
On Thursday it was likely to stay unsettled with frequent heavy showers again merging from time to time to give longer spells of rain and perhaps a risk of hail.
It would remain windy, especially over the hills and coasts, with a maximum temperature of 12C.