Heavy rain is affecting areas of Kent today as the wet start to the year continues. Rain has been falling all day, especially in the South and is expected to go on until at least 6pm.
Network Rail have reported that the freight-only branch at Grain, Kent, is underwater as water is overflowing out of a drain. They say there are reports of flooding across the South East today, but this remains the only line blocked.
The Environment Agency are also issuing flood alerts on most Kent river catchments. In addition a number of roads are partially flooded due to the heavy rain, especially A249 & A26 and most rural roads.
KCC has also announced that they are expecting flooding to happen in the town of Buxted.
KCC follows this with 14 possible flood warnings in the following areas
Combe Haven
Cuckmere River
Groundwater flooding in South East London
Lower River Medway
Middle River Medway
River Beult from Pluckley and Bethersden to Hampstead Lock at Yalding
River Bourne from Hadlow to East Peckham
River Rother and its tributaries from Turks Bridge to the Royal Military Canal
Rivers Tillingham and Brede
River Teise area from Lamberhurst to Goudhurst
River Uck
Upper Ouse
Upper River Medway
Upper River StourHighways England are also warning of dangerous driving conditions on the comute home this evening. Please drive sensibly and in accordance with the current road conditions. Cars can aquaplane easily when there is a large amount of surface water. Reduce your speed a little and get home in one piece rather than spending the evening retrieving bits of your car from the side of the road.
.
