Weathermen predict more storms after downpour causes problems

Met Office forecasters predicted more storms for Portsmouth today after a torrential downpour caused problems around the area.

Saveral roads were flooded and trees brought crashing down as the storm swept across southern England last night.

Drivers were warned today that a lane of the M27 was shut at junction 8 because of a fallen tree.

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And motorists were advised of excessive surface water on roads, particularly in the Hedge End and Southampton area.

A Met office weather alert for Hampshire warned of more downpours and possible flooding.

Hampshire Constbulary’s roads policing unit said in a tweet at 7am today: Already attending lots of road traffic incidents this morning due to all the excess water on the roads. Please slow down.’

Last night’s storm caused problems across the south east.

Red “immediate action” flood warnings were issued for parts of south-east London and Essex as parts of the capital were expected to see a month’s rain fall in a matter of hours.

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London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it received hundreds of calls to reports of weather-related incidents including lightning striking property, flooded homes and businesses and rising waters trapping vehicles.

There were reports of flooded streets as storms swept through, threatening disruption as voters head to polling stations.

In just one hour, 20.5mm of rain fell in Bexley, East London, close to half the June average, with some parts expected to see multiple showers bringing a month’s rain on Thursday morning.

The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings covering rivers in Bromley, Sidcup and Basildon, and 22 flood alerts across of the South East.

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Showers are expected to ease by 10am on Thursday morning before returning with similar intensity from 2pm.

The Met Office issued an amber “be prepared” warning of rain for part of Kent, Sussex and Surrey effective until 6am on Thursday, while a yellow warning covering the South East is in place until 6am on Friday.

Forecaster Luke Miall said: “If you draw a line from The Wash to the Isle of Portland everything east of that is in the firing line.

“A band of showers is coming across the English Channel and moving north-eastwards, that will bring some heavy downpours and localised surface flooding. There’s going to be a bit of hail in there too, so there’s quite a lot going on.

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“If you’re in the South East, you definitely need your umbrella and possibly a pair of Wellington boots.”

The storms threatened widespread travel disruption across the south, with Abellio Greater Anglia, South West Trains and Southern all warning of major delays on some routes.

In London parts of the underground and overground railway were suspended due flooding.

Gatwick Express southbound services have been suspended because of “poor weather”.

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South West Trains, Southern and TFL Rail are also suffering major delays because of the storms.

Many of London’s roads were affected by localised flooding, including the North Circular which was closed at Waltham Forest.