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Heavy rain and flooding causing traffic chaos in Kent

07:42, 03 November 2022

updated: 15:19, 03 November 2022

The country has been hit by heavy rain and flooding this morning causing travel chaos.

A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for Kent until 3pm today.

Flooding in Loose Road, Maidstone. Picture: UKNIP
Flooding in Loose Road, Maidstone. Picture: UKNIP
Flooding in Willington Street dip. Picture: UKNIP
Flooding in Willington Street dip. Picture: UKNIP

This morning, a second weather warning for a thunderstorm was put in place from 8pm until 6am tomorrow.

One lane is 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.

There are two broken down cars on the A249 between Key Street and Stockbury.

A car has also struck the central reservation on the coast-bound carriageway between junction 5 and 4 on the M2 this morning. No injuries have been reported.

River levels on the Isle of Sheppey are already rising due to heavy and persistent overnight rain.

Flooding of roads and low-lying land is expected from 9am and further rainfall is forecast over the next 24 hours as weather experts expect river levels to remain high throughout today.

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.

Flooding in London Road, Aylesford. Picture: UKNIP
Flooding in London Road, Aylesford. Picture: UKNIP
Queuing traffic on the A249. Picture: John Nurden
Queuing traffic on the A249. Picture: John Nurden
Flooding in Minster on Sheppey. Picture: John Nurden
Flooding in Minster on Sheppey. Picture: John Nurden

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.

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.

Flooded exit onto A249 at Key Street, Sittingbourne
Flooded exit onto A249 at Key Street, Sittingbourne
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
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

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."

A lane is blocked on the A229 Sheals Crescent, Maidstone, at the junction for loose Road due to carriageway flooding and a broken down car.

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

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

There has also been reports of 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 and are assessing injuries.

Traffic building on the A20 roundabout just past the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel
Traffic building on the A20 roundabout just past the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel
Flooding on the A229 Sheals Crescent, Maidstone. Picture: KCC Highways
Flooding on the A229 Sheals Crescent, Maidstone. Picture: KCC Highways

Meanwhile, the A20 Ashford Road, Harrietsham, is partially blocked causing long delays due to flooding and a broken down car in Church Road.

Congestion is to Lenham heading westbound and back to the M20 junction 8 heading eastbound.

Heavy rain is affecting areas across the county this morning but it is expected to clear eastwards in the early afternoon.

Between 20 to 30mm of rain is expected, with 40mm in a few places near English Channel coasts.

More as we get it.

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