Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday told of his shock at the flooding which has hit the South West and promised to “ensure everything is being done to help” after a woman died in the chaos.

The woman became the second victim to die as a result of this week’s horrendous weather.

She was killed in Western Way, Exeter, on Saturday night when she was trapped under a fallen spruce tree which injured two others.

On Thursday a man died when his car became wedged under a bridge near to a ford at Rectory Fields, in Chew Stoke, Somerset.

People were forced to flee their homes as flood water and torrential rain caused “serious threats to life” in villages in Cornwall.

Yesterday, Cameron said on Twitter: “Shocking scenes of flooding in Cornwall and around the country. Govt will help ensure everything is being done to help.”

He made the comment as the weather appeared to improve but as the Environment Agency continued to issue warnings.

One severe flood warning - the highest alert possible - existed for River Cober at Helston including St Johns Road, St Johns Close, Coronation Park and Loe Pool.

River levels were rising yesterday and are expected to flood out into the lower areas of the Cornwall town causing significant hazard, the agency said. It also issued 221 flood warnings and 267 less serious flood alerts.

Cameron made the promise to help as one emergency worker hit out at people for not using their common sense in the perilous conditions.

Nathan Hudson, general manager of West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS), appealed for members of the public to stop endangering their and rescue workers’ lives.

“No-one can have missed the heavy rain and strong winds that battered the region overnight. It is quite simple: driving through flood water is inherently dangerous,” Hudson said.

“People who attempt to pass through flooded roads are not only putting their own lives at risk, but also the lives of the emergency services staff who have to rescue them.”

The woman who was killed by the tree was believed to be just 21 and had been living in a small tent sheltered against the wall at the roadside when the tree fell on it.

Emergency services, rescue crews and EA bosses worked throughout the night to help stricken communities and spread messages of safety to people following four days of uninterrupted rainfall.

Thirty members of the local community were evacuated to a nearby community centre last night.