Home / Weather / Thunderstorms Flood South East England, Disrupting Trains and Homes
Thunderstorms Flood South East England, Disrupting Trains and Homes
23 Jul
Summary
- Over 1 inch of rain fell in just an hour, triggering a yellow thunderstorm warning
- Train services between Hastings and Ashford International were cancelled due to flooded tracks
- England recorded its driest March to June period since 1893, leading to drought conditions
Today, parts of South East England were hit by intense thunderstorms and torrential downpours, with more than an inch of rain falling in just one hour. The Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for areas including Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Folkestone, and Dover, valid until 5pm.
Forecasters warned that some locations could see up to 40mm (1.6 inches) of rain in one to two hours, leading to concerns about driving conditions, power cuts, and flooding of homes and businesses. Train operator Southern was forced to cancel services between Hastings and Ashford International after the railway lines were flooded and blocked.
The wet weather is a stark contrast to the prolonged drought conditions that have gripped England in recent months. The country recorded its driest March to June period since 1893, leaving four regions in drought. This dry spell has been punctuated by three heatwaves so far this summer, further straining water resources. Just yesterday, Thames Water implemented a hosepipe ban for over 1 million customers in southern England, as the company waits for significant rainfall to ease the restrictions.
