Flood alert from Bethersden to Staplehurst for River Beult
10:05, 20 December 2018
updated: 10:28, 20 December 2018
Heavy overnight rainfall has resulted in parts of Kent being put on flood alert.
The Environment Agency has issued an alert for the River Beult from Pluckley and Bethersden to Hampstead Lock at Yalding, which includes Smarden, Headcorn, Collier Street, Benover and The Lees.
Incident response staff are out on the ground checking the areas and removing any blockages and debris from rivers.
There is also an alert for the River Medway from Hampstead Lock at Yalding to Allington Lock which includes East Farleigh, Wateringbury, Teston and Teston Park, Tovil and Maidstone including Millennium Park.
People are warned to be prepared as flooding of low-lying roads and farmland is expected after 8am today and is possible in areas from Bethersden to Staplehurst, including Smarden and Headcorn.
Properties are not at risk of flooding at this point but light rainfall is forecast this morning with more expected to fall overnight.
River levels are expected to remain high throughout the day and the Environment Agency says it is closely monitoring the situation, meanwhile drivers are being warned to avoid low-lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.
Further updates will be issued throughout the day.