A WOMAN has died and two others have been hurt after a tree fell on them, with floods and high winds battering England's southwest.

The three were injured by a large spruce tree which collapsed onto Western Way in Exeter late on Saturday.

One of the women was trapped under the tree and taken to hospital where she later died, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

People were forced to flee from their homes on Saturday night as floodwaters and torrential rain caused "serious threats to life" in villages in Cornwall.

Special rest centres were set up in the worst-hit villages as severe flood warnings were issued.

Roads were closed across the region as highways became impassable because of rain and debris.

Emergency services and rescue crews worked throughout the night to help stricken communities following four days of uninterrupted rainfall.

Devon was being buffeted by winds of up to 100km an hour and between 40mm and 60mm of rain.

Also hard-hit were the southwest areas near Perranporth, Helston and Polperro - the latter two in areas where there were concerns that nearby rivers were about to burst their banks.

The picturesque fishing port of Polperro has a history of being susceptible to flooding, with many properties in the area having sandbags ready following years of being at flood risk.

People in Mevagissey in Cornwall were also dealing with flood problems as water surged through the winding streets and crept into homes.

For many, this week's flooding came with barely a few days' respite since the last time deluges crept through the windy streets and into homes.

Heavy rainfall began on Wednesday, presenting those in the worst-affected areas with little chance to clear away the dirty, stagnant water before further downpours tested the patience of weary homeowners.

Devon and Cornwall police met other agencies for special meetings in both counties on Saturday, designed to share intelligence in an effort to minimise the risk to the public.

"Unfortunately, flooding is not an uncommon occurrence in (England's) southwest but this time it seems that almost everywhere is affected," spokesman Ian Walls said.

"I don't want to overstate it, but when there is a real danger to life, as there can be with just a foot of floodwater, then action needs to be taken."