Extensive flooding has occurred across southern England as a result of a low-pressure system named Storm Aurore moving in from France, bringing up to 45mph winds in certain places.

On Wednesday night, the Environment Agency tweeted that heavy showers could cause localised surface water and river flooding. As the Met Office issued an amber weather warning for heavy rain across southern and eastern parts of England, the Essex Fire Service said they dealt with over a hundred weather-related incidents.

Due to debris and floodwater, the M23 was closed in both directions between J11 and J10 for some time, while the A272 was closed near Rogate, West Sussex due to a crash in floodwater and torrential rain has also resulted in the closure of multiple roads across the South-East.

Thameslink and South-eastern railway services are suspended between Dartford and Gravesend, as a landslide dumped 30 tonnes of debris on the railway line.

BBC Weather reported that Knockholt – a village in Kent – had the highest levels of rainfall, receiving 58mm of rain.

The Met Office has issued several flood warnings, which mean that there is a chance of flooding, across West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent and Surrey. In addition, 60+ flood alerts, which mean flooding is expected, are in place across the same areas.

Meanwhile, the Thames Barrier reached a milestone, closing for the 200th time today, to avoid “widespread damage and disruption across the capital.” 

If floodwater enters your home, the Essex Fire Service has advice on what to do:

Remember, always stay safe, and never take unnecessary risks.