David Cameron today pledged government aid to Cornwall after floods and heavy rain battered the county.
Residents in parts of the south-west awoke to find their homes and businesses several feet under muddy water.
There were no reports of serious injuries but police declared the flooding a "major incident" with scores of residents evacuated, schools closed, the transport network hugely disrupted and train services stopped by a landslide at Lostwithiel.
Particularly affected were St Austell, Lostwithiel, St Blazey, Bodmin, Par, Mevagissey and Luxulyan. The Eden Project, near St Austell, said it would not re-open until Saturday at the earliest.
Cameron said the region suffered a "very difficult" night. "I know that everyone is working around the clock to get this sorted," he said at prime minister's questions in the Commons.
"We have said we stand ready to help in any way we can."
The leader of Cornwall council, Alec Robertson, said Cameron had been in touch with him to express sympathy and offer assistance.
Cameron praised the work of the emergency services.
Barry Green, owner of Lostwithiel Bakery, was at work early this morning when the River Fowey burst its banks.
The 46-year-old said his premises on Quay Street were "pretty much destroyed".
"It all kicked off at about 5.15am when I heard a bubbling outside in the drains. Within three or four minutes it was knee high. The speed of it was very, very surprising.
"One minute I was making bread the next I was wading waist high through muddy water."
As well as police and fire crews, coastguard rescue teams helped with the search missions along with RAF helicopters
Meteorologists said Cardinham recorded 18.8mm of rainfall in one hour and 50mm in nine hours. A spokesman for the Met Office said some parts of Cornwall could see another 20mm of rain tonight.
The AA, which used specialist water-rescue Land Rovers to help stricken motorists, said around 25 vehicles were recovered when drivers attempted to pass down flooded roads or were caught out by the river bursting its banks.
An empty car was washed into the harbour in Portloe, south Cornwall, while a landslip at Lostwithiel, near Bodmin, blocked the main rail line in and out of the county.
Derek Baynton, a Lostwithiel resident, said he feared a repeat of the floods that devastated Boscastle, in north Cornwall, six years ago.
"When I looked out of my window, I feared a Boscastle-type situation," he said. "The worst of the rain is over, but the water is flowing down Quay Street in both directions."
Another resident, Colin Farlow, said: "Our dog woke us up by yapping at 4am. We went downstairs and were standing in water. We have had torrential rain before, but nothing like this.
"The force of the water was so strong that it battered me down – and I am not a small chap."
The fire service in Mevagissey, south Cornwall, said parts of the harbour town were under 4ft (1.2 metres) of water. A rest centre was opened to help people affected in the area.
Suzanne Chapman, a children's playworker, said the flooding in St Blazey, south Cornwall, was the worst she had seen in.
"It does seem to be a freak event," she said. "It was like a river out there. As the water receded, it left mud and brown dirt everywhere."
Melissa Chapman, a 34-year-old resident of St Blazey, said: "We woke up to the sound of helicopters at around 6am and saw flood water virtually at the front door.
"Some had to be rescued from their homes. I've never seen anything like it. It had stopped raining fairly early on – but there was a huge amount of standing water in the road, which has caused huge problems.
"It looks as though the culverts and drains became blocked with leaves. There were tidal waves lapping at my front door as people drove past."
Linda Dorling, 67, of Lostwithiel, said: "All the cars were under water at one point. One car floated off on its own and hit into some others.
"Plenty of homes have been completely flooded and I feel terrible for my neighbours who have water in their homes. It's an absolute nightmare. We can't even open the front gate to get out onto the street."
Neil Adams, a 37-year-old ceiling fitter, said his Peugeot 306 had been swept carried down the street by the water.
"I woke up this morning to go to work, and when I looked out of the window it was clear that I wasn't going anywhere.
"My car had floated off sideways and got jammed between two others. I would imagine it is ruined. We're fearing the worst."
Kim Barker, the landlady of the Crown Inn pub near the village of Penpillick, between St Austell and Lostwithiel, said: "It's absolutely awful, really horrendous. I came down in to the pub and there was water in our lounge and kitchen.
"We're not anywhere nearly as bad as people further down the village, though – they're at waist level in their houses. They are in an awful state. Their properties are a lot further down the hill and their appliances are floating around them.
"There was no warning though. The weather wasn't good last night – but nothing like this."
More than a dozen secondary and primary schools had to be closed.
A Devon and Cornwall police spokesman said: "Areas of St Austell and St Blazey are impassable, and people have been trapped in their cars and homes."
The spokesman said the coastguard and search and rescue helicopters had been used to monitor the situation throughout the night, but had been stood down.
He added: "At this time, there are no known casualties. People are advised not to undertake any journeys through flooded areas."
