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Torrential rain brings end to heatwave in the South East Post-heatwave storm brings flash floods causing widespread disruption
(35 minutes later)
Flash floods have hit the South East, with thunderstorms dumping almost half a month's rain in just a few hours. Flash flooding has caused travel chaos in parts of England as thunderstorms dumped almost half a month's rain in some parts overnight.
There were reports of roads and properties being hit across Surrey overnight as torrential rain moved in from the Channel. A train from Milton Keynes to Euston has derailed near Watford Junction, but there are no details of injuries.
An amber warning has been issued for the South East with the potential for "exceptionally large amounts of rain". There are reports of roads and properties flooded across Surrey, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and London after rain moved in from the Channel.
Frequent lightning and hail may be additional hazards, and there could be major disruption, the Met Office said. Commuters have been warned of severe disruption with more rain on the way.
Rush-hour commuters have been warned to prepare for severe weather, bringing flash flooding and disruption to transport. Live updates on flash flooding
Lightning strike For key updates see BBC Weather and BBC Travel.
The weather front is due to send temperatures tumbling just days after parts of the UK baked in record-breaking heat. The disruption includes:
The Met Office Chief Forecaster said sustained hourly rates of more than 30mm of rain could result in totals of more than 100mm in three to four hours. 'Major disruption'
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said it had been called to reports of a lightning-strike on a house near Woking, while crews pumped water out of flooded premises across the county. The Environment Agency issued an amber weather warning, the second highest alert, for the East of England, London and the South East.
Met Office meteorologist Martin Combe said: "The showers and thunderstorms are going to carry on for quite some time, moving slowly north and eastwards. There is the the potential for "exceptionally large amounts of rain within a few hours" with frequent lightning and hail as additional hazards, the Met Office said.
Whilst there remains some uncertainty about developments and areas affected, there could be major disruption, it added.
Met Office meteorologist Martin Combe said 32.8mm of rain had fallen in just three hours in Farnborough, Hampshire - nearly half the 70mm average for September.
He said: "The showers and thunderstorms are going to carry on for quite some time moving slowly north and eastwards, remaining around London through the morning and all afternoon in East Anglia.
"They will eventually clear off to the east, but it will be cool behind them. While it won't be any colder than average it is going to feel a lot cooler than it has been.""They will eventually clear off to the east, but it will be cool behind them. While it won't be any colder than average it is going to feel a lot cooler than it has been."
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