The Environment Agency has now given the all clear for the Devon coastline with flood watches no longer in operation.

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"Flood defences are now in operation and the situation on site is being constantly monitored, " said an Environment Agency spokesperson.

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The operation was successfully carried out on patient Paddy Flood from Derby.

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Nevertheless, Donald Harleman, a hydrologist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, argues that it is possible to use selective operation of the gates, when there is no flood risk, to actually increase flushing.

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Although flood warnings remain in place, communities are starting the clean-up operation.

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