South-East England – South-East England experienced a deluge of rainfall over the past 24 hours, with some areas receiving more than half of their expected September rainfall within a single day.
Goudhurst in Kent recorded 29.4mm (1.16 inches) of rain, while Farnham in Surrey saw 28.4mm (1.12 inches), leading to widespread flooding and travel disruptions across the region.
The Met Office had issued a yellow warning for heavy rain in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, which was initially set to remain in effect until 23:59 BST on Friday.
However, the warning was lifted several hours early as the intensity of the rainfall decreased. Despite the early cessation of the warning, the impacts of the rain were significant.
Several roads were closed across the affected areas due to flooding. In East Sussex, the A21 between Johns Cross and Baldslow was shut down, according to National Highways.
In West Sussex, the A24 at Ashington was also closed because of floodwater on the carriageway. West Sussex Highways advised motorists to follow diversion routes and “drive to weather conditions and allow extra journey time.”
The flooding extended to local businesses as well. The Oceanside Cafe in Bexhill closed its doors on Friday due to the risk of flooding. The cafe announced on its Facebook page that it was “unfair to put staff and customers in a position where we could get flooded in.”
The Environment Agency issued a flood alert for Scrase Bridge and West Common streams in Haywards Heath and Lindfield.
A spokesperson warned that further showers were expected and that any rise in river levels and flooding could occur rapidly following intense downpours.
Gatwick Airport also reported operational impacts due to the weather. As of 12:45 BST, the airport was experiencing average flight delays of around 40 minutes.
The weather conditions, including heavy rain and the potential for lightning, have led to disruptions in air travel.
Grahame Madge from the Met Office commented on the ongoing situation: “Within the warning area, we will see some heavy outbreaks of rain, possibly accompanied by lightning.”
The unpredictable weather has left many in the region on high alert, with authorities and residents bracing for additional rainfall and potential further disruptions.
Overall, the recent heavy rain has caused considerable inconvenience across South-East England, impacting transportation, businesses, and daily life.
The situation remains fluid, with authorities advising the public to stay informed about weather conditions and to plan for potential delays and disruptions.
