There are fears of a repeat of the flooding which hit the South West last years
Torquay seafront has been closed as torrential rain which caused floods in Cornwall heads towards Devon.
The Environment Agency, which has issued 16 flood alerts as river levels rise, says there is a "strong likelihood" of properties flooding.
A high tide and strong winds have also brought flood fears to coastal towns.
Emergency services have been fighting flooding at properties in Mevagissey and Roche in Cornwall. Sewage has been reported on roads in Par.
Torquay seafront is shut to traffic, as are Torre Abbey, Livermead and Meadfoot Sea Road in Torbay.
The Met Office is warning that some areas of Devon and Cornwall could have as much as 150mm (5.9in) of rain on Monday.
'Protect yourself'It said particularly heavy and persistent rain over Cornwall could cause rivers to burst their banks.
The Environment Agency has said it expects to upgrade its flood alerts to flood warnings in the next few hours for parts of the region.
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End Quote Environment AgencyThere is a strong likelihood of property flooding"
It has issued flood alerts around the River Tamar, St Austell and Par, west Cornwall and along the south Devon coast at Beesands, Torcross, Slapton, Torbay and Dawlish.
A flood alert for the River Dart area means flooding is possible in Totnes, Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Dartmouth and Torbay, the agency said.
Flooding is also possible for the rivers Avon, Erme and Harbourne, as well as coastal streams from Bigbury to Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, South Brent and Ivybridge, it added.
The agency has issued advice on how to prepare for flooding, including switching off gas and electricity supplies.
A spokesman said: "Last November hundreds of properties in Cornwall were flooded after heavy rainfall.
"Today's forecast means that there is also a strong likelihood of property flooding.
"The Environment Agency is therefore urging people to protect themselves and their properties."
Property pumped outAbout four miles (6.4km) of traffic queues were reported along a stretch of the westbound A30 - between Exeter's A377 Alphington Junction and the B3260 to Okehampton - because of surface water.
Drivers have also been warned of flooding and surface water on the A38 in Liskeard around the A390 junction and between the A389 junction in Wadebridge and the B3266 junction in Camelford.
Strong winds and high tides in south Devon are also increasing the risk of localised flooding in coastal areas.
Tidal gates have been closed at Beesands in south Devon, Sutton Harbour in Plymouth, Polperro in south-east Cornwall and Copperhouse in Hayle, near St Ives in west Cornwall.
The fire service is on standby in Roche, Cornwall, where rain threatened to flood properties in Tremodrett Road and Fore Street. Only one house has needed pumping out so far, the service said.
Sewage on roadsThe Ship Inn in Mevagissey and nearby properties in Chapel Road have also been affected.
Kim Barker, from the inn, said: "Within 10 minutes, there was eight to 10ins of water.
"Everyone had to leave. It wasn't as bad as last time, but the biggest thing is the loss of trade."
Residents in St Blazey Road, Par, reported raw sewage rolling down road after manhole covers were lifted by the force of flooding.
South West Water said engineers were prioritising cases and apologised for any delays.
Cornwall Council received more than 320 calls over eight hours, about 160 of which related to surface water flooding and blocked drains, it said.
About 100 workers have been responding to incidents throughout the county, the council said.
Homes and businesses were badly affected last year by flooding.
Mevagissey, Lostwithiel, St Blazey and St Austell were among the worst-hit areas as about 230 homes and 400 businesses in Cornwall were hit by flooding on 17 November.
The rainy weather is expected to move further north on Tuesday.
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