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Flooding hits Kent, cutting off Folkestone GP surgery, causing traffic chaos and creating Dover 'stairway waterfall'

14:35, 03 November 2022

updated: 19:47, 03 November 2022

A "little old man" with a rake has come to the rescue in an attempt to clear blocked drains as heavy rainfall has caused chaos across the county.

He was spotted trying to clear the way so people could access a GP surgery in Folkestone.

Meanwhile, in Dover, the downpours have created a "stairway waterfall".

It comes as heavy rain has caused travel chaos across Kent today.

A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for Kent until 3pm. A second weather warning for a thunderstorm is in place from 8pm until 6am tomorrow.

In Folkestone, a resident says the rainfall has left the "roads like rivers" so no one can get into the New Surgery in Canterbury Road.

They told KentOnline the elderly, wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs are unable to gain access.

A 'little old man' trying to clear blocked drains in Folkestone and a 'stairway waterfall' in Dover. Picture: The Dovorian restaurant
A 'little old man' trying to clear blocked drains in Folkestone and a 'stairway waterfall' in Dover. Picture: The Dovorian restaurant

"The drains are not being cleared," they said.

"I watched people being unable to get in and out of the surgery for 20 minutes.

"Something needs to be done. The little old man isn't a council worker, yet is putting himself in danger to clear drains. This isn't an elderly gentleman's job."

In a video sent to KentOnline, the man can be seen using a rake in an attempt to clear the drains and reduce the water level in the road.

A Kent County Council spokesperson said: "Our highways team answered more than 100 emergency calls before lunchtime and more than 300 less-urgent calls from residents and businesses affected by flooding. These calls were from people who contacted KCC directly, rather than the KM.

“In the case at the New Surgery, a call to the receptionist would have confirmed that she was not aware of any patients missing appointments because they could not access the premises.

A car stranded at the bottom of Millen Road where it joins Milton High Street, Sittingbourne. Picture: Adam Yates
A car stranded at the bottom of Millen Road where it joins Milton High Street, Sittingbourne. Picture: Adam Yates
Cars are under water in Spot Lane, Maidstone
Cars are under water in Spot Lane, Maidstone

“Naturally we commend the community spirit of the gentleman who attempted to clear the drain.

“Unfortunately, the heavy and persistent rain across the whole county meant it was impossible for us to ensure every road was cleared as quickly as we would have liked.”

Parts of the county saw half of November's average rainfall in a few hours with Lamberhurst recording 62mm of rain.

Meanwhile, Horsmonden (60mm) and Rainham (54mm) were among the wettest places in the entire country.

Along the coast in Dover, a video was shared by the Dovorian restaurant of water gushing down a set of stairs.

People commenting on Facebook said it was a "nice water feature", joking that it was an improvement on the water rings in Market Square and the regularly flooded underpass between Bench Street and the seafront.

It follows a morning of traffic chaos as roads across the county were flooded.

One lane was closed on the M2 London-bound between junction 6 A251 Ashford Road, Faversham, and junction 5 A249 for Sittingbourne and the Stockbury Roundabout due to flooding.

Two cars broke down on the A249 between Key Street and Stockbury.

Flooding on the A229 Sheals Crescent, Maidstone. Picture: KCC Highways
Flooding on the A229 Sheals Crescent, Maidstone. Picture: KCC Highways

A car also struck the central reservation on the coast-bound carriageway between junction 5 and 4 on the M2 this morning.

River levels on the Isle of Sheppey have also been rising.

Teams are closely monitoring the situation and incident response staff are clearing trash screens across the catchment area.

They warned to avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and to plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

A flood alert has also been issued for the Upper River Medway and flooding of roads and low lying land is expected between 9.30am and 9pm today.

A car has crashed off a grass verge in Ashford Road, Bearsted. Picture: UKNIP
A car has crashed off a grass verge in Ashford Road, Bearsted. Picture: UKNIP

It is expected to affect areas around Forest Row, Ashurst, Hartfield and Penshurst and roads close to the rivers, particularly near Balls Green and Ashurst.

River levels are expected to remain high until 9pm.

Kent County Council's Highways team issued a message this morning. It read: "Please be aware we have multiple reports of weather related issues across the Kent road network following strong winds and heavy rain. Please be careful out there."

Willington Street dip in Maidstone was shut by police due to flooding while the diversion through Downswood is also partially underwater.

"The commute was pretty wild," said one driver.

Flooding in London Road, Aylesford. Picture: UKNIP
Flooding in London Road, Aylesford. Picture: UKNIP

There was also a collision on the M20 between junction 11A and junction 12 for the Cheriton Interchange, Folkestone.

Paramedics were called to the scene at around 11.15am.

One patient was assessed and treated before being taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Water damage inside Tesco in Faversham (60430375)
Water damage inside Tesco in Faversham (60430375)

In Faversham, the heavy rainfall has caused water damages in businesses such as the Tesco superstore.

A small area inside the Crescent Road shop was marked off with 'do not enter' signs.

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