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Torrential rain and flooding in London and south-east on referendum day Torrential rain brings widespread flooding in south-east England
(35 minutes later)
Torrential downpours and flooding have swamped parts of London and the south-east in the early hours of EU referendum day, with the fire brigade inundated with more than 300 emergency calls.Torrential downpours and flooding have swamped parts of London and the south-east in the early hours of EU referendum day, with the fire brigade inundated with more than 300 emergency calls.
Related: Voting begins in EU referendum as polls say result too close to callRelated: Voting begins in EU referendum as polls say result too close to call
Red “immediate action” flood warnings were issued for parts of south-east London and Essex as parts of the capital were expected to see a month’s rainfall in a matter of hours.Red “immediate action” flood warnings were issued for parts of south-east London and Essex as parts of the capital were expected to see a month’s rainfall in a matter of hours.
London Fire Brigade said it received a day’s worth of calls in just an hour and a half to reports of weather-related incidents including lightning striking property, flooded homes and businesses and rising waters trapping vehicles. London Fire Brigade said it received a day’s worth of calls in just an hour-and-a-half to reports of weather-related incidents, including lightning striking property, flooded homes and businesses, and rising waters trapping vehicles.
There were reports of flooded streets as storms swept through, threatening disruption as voters head to polling stations.There were reports of flooded streets as storms swept through, threatening disruption as voters head to polling stations.
300 '999' calls as we attend floods & lightning strikes in #londonstorm https://t.co/wtHRVVOOhG pic @globalsnewsroom pic.twitter.com/aYjMhhqf6H300 '999' calls as we attend floods & lightning strikes in #londonstorm https://t.co/wtHRVVOOhG pic @globalsnewsroom pic.twitter.com/aYjMhhqf6H
The storm caused major disruption to the capital’s travel network, causing problems for thousands of commuters during the morning rush hour. The storm caused major disruption to the capital’s travel network, causing problems for thousands of commuters during the morning rush hour. Several tube stations, including Embankment, Tooting Broadway, Lambeth North, Borough and Canning Town were closed due to flooding in the early morning.
The District line on the tube, the Docklands Light Railway and London overground network were all suspended or delayed because of flooding.
Gatwick Express southbound services have been suspended because of “poor weather”.
South West Trains, Southern and TFL Rail are also suffering major delays because of the storms.
Many of London’s roads were affected by localised flooding, including the North Circular which was closed at Waltham Forest.
Over 1000 #Lightning strikes around the UK already today. Alex D pic.twitter.com/wFH01cJ1HkOver 1000 #Lightning strikes around the UK already today. Alex D pic.twitter.com/wFH01cJ1Hk
The District line on the tube, the Docklands Light Railway and the London overground network were all suspended or delayed because of flooding.
Gatwick Express southbound services have also been suspended.
South West Trains, Southern and TFL Rail are also suffering major delays because of the storms, with problems also reported on Greater Anglia services.
Picture of the heavy flooding currently blocking the lines at #ManorPark pic.twitter.com/TdxHApMJPT
Drivers in rush hour also experienced severe delays reaching the capital, with the Blackwall tunnel shut earlier on Thursday morning.
Many of London’s roads were affected by localised flooding, including the North Circular, which was closed at Waltham Forest.
#BlackwallTunnel is currently CLOSED northbound due to flooding. Drivers are advised to seek an alternative route. pic.twitter.com/uzcKd3exYB
An LFB spokesman said: “Crews are being mobilised to incidents as quickly as possible but the brigade is appealing to people to only call 999 in an emergency – where there is a risk to life or property.An LFB spokesman said: “Crews are being mobilised to incidents as quickly as possible but the brigade is appealing to people to only call 999 in an emergency – where there is a risk to life or property.
Related: Flooding in south-east England: are you being affected?
“Between around 1.30am and 3am our control officers took over 300 calls – around as many as they would receive in an average day.”“Between around 1.30am and 3am our control officers took over 300 calls – around as many as they would receive in an average day.”
In just one hour, 20.5mm of rain fell in Bexley, east London, close to half the June average, with some parts expected to see multiple showers bringing a month’s rain on Thursday morning. In just one hour, 20.5mm of rain fell in Bexley, south-east London, close to half the June average, with some parts expected to see multiple showers bringing a month’s rain on Thursday morning.
The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings covering rivers in Bromley, Sidcup and Basildon, and 22 flood alerts across of the South East. The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings covering rivers in Bromley, Sidcup and Basildon, and 22 flood alerts across the south-east.
Showers are expected to ease by 10am on Thursday morning before returning with similar intensity from 2pm.Showers are expected to ease by 10am on Thursday morning before returning with similar intensity from 2pm.
The Met Office issued an amber “be prepared” warning of rain for part of Kent, Sussex and Surrey effective until 6am on Thursday, while a yellow warning covering the south-east is in place until 6am on Friday. The Met Office issued an amber “be prepared” warning of rain for parts of Kent, Sussex and Surrey effective until 6am on Thursday, while a yellow warning covering the south-east is in place until 6am on Friday.
Heavy rain continuing across parts of the SE & E Anglia, leading to some tricky travelling conditions #londonstorm pic.twitter.com/dTfd2aNxGGHeavy rain continuing across parts of the SE & E Anglia, leading to some tricky travelling conditions #londonstorm pic.twitter.com/dTfd2aNxGG
Forecaster Luke Miall said: “If you draw a line from The Wash to the Isle of Portland everything east of that is in the firing line. Forecaster Luke Miall said: “If you draw a line from the Wash to the Isle of Portland, everything east of that is in the firing line.
“A band of showers is coming across the English Channel and moving north-eastwards, that will bring some heavy downpours and localised surface flooding. There’s going to be a bit of hail in there too, so there’s quite a lot going on. “A band of showers is coming across the English Channel and moving north-eastwards that will bring some heavy downpours and localised surface flooding. There’s going to be a bit of hail in there too, so there’s quite a lot going on.
“If you’re in the south-east, you definitely need your umbrella and possibly a pair of Wellington boots.” “If you’re in the south-east, you definitely need your umbrella and possibly a pair of wellington boots.”
There were reports of flooded streets across the capital with roads in Battersea, south-west London, Barking in East London and Lewisham under several inches of water. There were reports of flooded streets across the capital, with roads in Battersea in south-west London, Barking in east London and Lewisham under several inches of water.
Flood waters rose steadily after heavy rain began to fall after midnight, eventually flowing at knee height into ground floor homes on one street. Flood waters rose steadily after heavy rain began to fall after midnight, eventually flowing at knee height into ground-floor homes on one street.
This is the pavement that takes you to our polling station.............. #EURef ☔️🗳😳 pic.twitter.com/b9hEHmKQnuThis is the pavement that takes you to our polling station.............. #EURef ☔️🗳😳 pic.twitter.com/b9hEHmKQnu
Louise March tweeted that there was serious flooding in the Longbridge Road area of Barking and she was concerned over her property insurance.Louise March tweeted that there was serious flooding in the Longbridge Road area of Barking and she was concerned over her property insurance.
She wrote: “I saw a car under water people helping to push it out if the water never seen this in the 15 years I’ve lived here.” She wrote: “I saw a car under water people helping to push it out if the water; never seen this in the 15 years I’ve lived here.”
Zanna van Dijk, a fitness blogger and trainer, filmed flood waters lapping at the doors of buildings in Lambeth.Zanna van Dijk, a fitness blogger and trainer, filmed flood waters lapping at the doors of buildings in Lambeth.
The London storms are crazy! #thunder #storm #london pic.twitter.com/sB5mkkxlcVThe London storms are crazy! #thunder #storm #london pic.twitter.com/sB5mkkxlcV
The inclement weather is expected to be contained in the south-east, with much of the country seeing spells of fine and settled weather on Thursday.The inclement weather is expected to be contained in the south-east, with much of the country seeing spells of fine and settled weather on Thursday.
Temperatures are expected to rise up to 20C (68F) across Wales and the north of England and southern Scotland, although Northern Ireland and the Western Isles could see some showers.Temperatures are expected to rise up to 20C (68F) across Wales and the north of England and southern Scotland, although Northern Ireland and the Western Isles could see some showers.
Conditions are expected to improve for most on Friday, although showers will develop across western parts later on.Conditions are expected to improve for most on Friday, although showers will develop across western parts later on.