This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36603508

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 19 Version 20
Travel disruption and floods warnings as South East hit by more rain Travel disruption and floods warnings as South East hit by more rain
(about 3 hours later)
The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" warning for Thursday evening with heavy rain again falling across London and the South East. Severe rain and flooding has continued to disrupt travel for commuters and led to the cancellation of rail services.
Cars were submerged and polling stations in Kingston and Barking closed as 40mm (1.5in) of rain fell earlier. The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" warning for Thursday evening with heavy rain again falling across London and south-east England.
London Fire Brigade said it had attended more than 400 incidents, including properties hit by lightning. Referendum polling stations in Kingston and Barking were forced to close as 40mm (1.5in) of rain fell earlier.
Commuters were being advised to travel home early to avoid disruption. And London Fire Brigade said it had attended more than 400 incidents, including properties hit by lightning.
In Chessington, resident John Tindall said there was about 15cm (6in) of fast flowing water in the polling station on Devon Way when he tried to vote earlier. Commuters faced severe disruption with some stations closed because of overcrowding and floods forcing the closure of roads.
Kingston Council said the station had now been closed and moved to the Hook Centre on Hook Road. In Chessington, resident John Tindall said there was about 15cm (6in) of fast flowing water in the polling station on Devon Way when he tried to vote earlier on Thursday.
The Shiraz Mirza polling station has also been moved to Malden Manor Children's Centre in Lawrence Avenue, while the polling station at St Thomas More Church in Barking has been shut because of a burst water main. Kingston Council said it decided to close a polling station and move it to the Hook Centre.
In Kent, a Dover polling station is being run on a generator because of a power outage, Dover District Council said. The Shiraz Mirza polling station has also been moved to Malden Manor Children's Centre in Lawrence Avenue, while the polling station at St Thomas More Catholic Church in Barking was shut because of a burst water main.
UK Power Networks said electrical equipment became submerged in the floods, causing power cuts across the region, but it was everything it could "to restore power as soon as possible". In Kent, a Dover polling station was being run on a generator because of a power outage, Dover District Council said.
UK Power Networks said electrical equipment became submerged in the floods, causing power cuts across the region, but it said everything was being done "to restore power as soon as possible".
The Environment Agency has issued six red flood warnings while rivers in Bromley and Sidcup in south-east London, and Basildon, Essex, have been affected.The Environment Agency has issued six red flood warnings while rivers in Bromley and Sidcup in south-east London, and Basildon, Essex, have been affected.
Forty flood alerts are currently in place:Forty flood alerts are currently in place:
Some people in Barking had to be rescued from their homes by London Fire Brigade using boats. Some people in Barking had to be rescued from their homes by London Fire Brigade crews using boats.
While in Romford, a couple who are set to become first-time parents were forced out of their ground-floor flat after water began "pouring" into the building overnight.While in Romford, a couple who are set to become first-time parents were forced out of their ground-floor flat after water began "pouring" into the building overnight.
David Sandor and his wife Lidia, who is eight months pregnant, said they would not be able to return to their home for two months because of the damage.David Sandor and his wife Lidia, who is eight months pregnant, said they would not be able to return to their home for two months because of the damage.
A teenager and his dad were also rescued by fire crews near Romford after they were caught in flood water in Colliers Row, while trying to get to school in Croydon. A teenager and his dad were also rescued by fire crews near Romford after they were caught in flood water in Colliers Row while trying to get to school in Croydon.
Paul Greaves described the area as "gridlock… because of the rising water" and said he and his son Josh were "lucky". Rescuers had been in the area when they left their car and tried to walk to a nearby station. Paul Greaves described the area as "gridlock… because of the rising water" and said he and his son Josh were "lucky".
Fire crews spent two hours pumping 1m (3ft) of water out of a basement in Wimbledon College of Art after smoke filled the boiler room. Rescuers had been in the area when they left their car and tried to walk to a nearby station.
Students said they were meant to receive their marks today but have been told they will have to wait, while a number of their sculptures, created for the college's summer show, had been destroyed. Fire crews spent two hours pumping 1m (3ft) of water out of a basement at Wimbledon College of Art after smoke filled the boiler room.
Students said they were meant to receive their marks on Thursday but have been told they will have to wait, while a number of their sculptures, created for the college's summer show, had been destroyed.
Carol Baker, from Basildon, said her daughter Nicola nearly missed taking her Biology A-level exam in East Ham because of disruption on the roads.Carol Baker, from Basildon, said her daughter Nicola nearly missed taking her Biology A-level exam in East Ham because of disruption on the roads.
She said the pair had left the house at 06:30 BST but did not arrive at the school until 11:00 because of the weather, although teachers still allowed her to take the paper. She said the pair left their home at 06:30 BST but did not arrive at the school until 11:00 because of the weather, although teachers still allowed her to take the paper.
"She had been crying on the commute as she was worried they wouldn't let her take it," she said."She had been crying on the commute as she was worried they wouldn't let her take it," she said.
Several overground rail services have also been impacted by the weather.Several overground rail services have also been impacted by the weather.
Commuters were evacuated from trains at West Norwood station after smoke started billowing from the flooded track.Commuters were evacuated from trains at West Norwood station after smoke started billowing from the flooded track.
Travellers at Clapham Junction said they were faced with a "mass of bodies" as they tried to board services into central London.Travellers at Clapham Junction said they were faced with a "mass of bodies" as they tried to board services into central London.
A Network Rail spokesman said: "Staff have been out all night and are still out in the rain working with pumps and repairing damage.A Network Rail spokesman said: "Staff have been out all night and are still out in the rain working with pumps and repairing damage.
"We are doing all that we can to keep trains running," he said."We are doing all that we can to keep trains running," he said.
BBC Weather said there had been more than 1,000 lightning strikes across the UK overnight and a month's worth of rain had fallen in London since 18:00 BST on Wednesday. BBC Weather said there were more than 1,000 lightning strikes across the UK overnight and a month's worth of rain had fallen in London since 18:00 BST on Wednesday.
The Met Office said the rain was brought on by increasingly warm and humid air arriving from France.The Met Office said the rain was brought on by increasingly warm and humid air arriving from France.
Forecasters are warning of the potential of a "second wave" of downpours later on Thursday. Forecasters are warning of the potential for a "second wave" of downpours late on Thursday.
Have you been affected by the extreme weather? You can tell us about your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk or share your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the extreme weather? You can tell us about your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk or share your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or comment here:Or comment here: