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Heavy rainfall causes flooding in Kent, including Dover, Folkestone, Deal and Hythe

By: Victoria Chessum

Published: 00:00, 06 January 2016

A pregnant woman was rescued from a flooded house on Tuesday as heavy rainfall swells the county's rivers.

Firefighters were called to a house in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, where the woman was trapped, along with a man and two dogs.

Crews pumped water from the property before using an inflatable path and drysuits to reach the pair, in what Kent Fire and Rescue described as a "lengthy" rescue.

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Flooding in the Alkham Valley Road by Sladden Farm. Picture: John Sheridan

Elsewhere in Hawkinge, a Lidl store has reportedly closed due to flooding, as downpours leave parts of the town under several inches of water.

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Some of the grassland at Coombe Wood Riding School in the village has also been flooded, with water running down the banks and collecting at the bottom.

Emergency services and highways officers are working to clear flood-hit areas, and Shepway District Council is offering sandbags to worried residents.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service has received more than 25 calls for help, mainly from the east of the county including Dover, Deal, Folkestone and Hythe.

A stream of water has collected in Coombe Wood Riding School's field in Hawkinge. Picture: Tim Fuller

Kent County Council Highways said: "Many roads across the county have excess water after heavy rainfall - KCC are working to clear the water as soon as possible."

And the wet conditions are set to continue, as flood alerts remain in place for west Kent and the Met Office extends its severe weather warning for rain until 6am tomorrow.

VIDEO: Flooding by the River Stour in Canterbury, on the Thanet Way in Herne Bay and Denton.

One of the worst-affected roads is the Alkham Valley Road between Folkestone and Dover, where two people were rescued from a car stuck in rising flood water this morning.

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Motorists attempting to use the road have been faced with high water levels, which is particularly hazardous in the road close to Hopton Manor.

Water running down from the country lanes off the Alkham Valley Road are contributing to the floods. Picture: John Sheridan
Lidl in Hawkinge as it is seen now

The deepest puddle is next to the Lower Standen pumping station that is under construction.

Water has also been gushing down Slip Lane, adjacent to the Marquis restaurant.

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Stagecoach buses said the 91 service that runs through the valley and into Dover will not run because of the surface water and the cars blocking the road.

Motorists have been driving at a reduced speed along the road, and extra time may be added onto people's journeys.

The Stour in Westgate gardens threatens to burst its banks in Canterbury. Picture: Jordi Ross.

The junction between Singledge Lane and Nursery Lane in Whitfield was also blocked due to high water levels.

On Wednesday morning KCC Highways announced that they shut the road because of the excess water.

Floods have also forced closure of the junction with Lydden Hill and Canterbury Road.

Elsewhere, in Deal, residents in Freemens Way are facing knee-deep water levels.

Southern Water has sent two tankers to help clear flooding in Allenby Avenue.

Meanwhile, in Canterbury, water levels are rising on the Stour in Westgate Gardens, which is threatening to burst its banks.

And in Denton, on the outskirts of the city, highways officers worked to clear water from a badly flooded road.

A weather warning's been placed on Kent. File picture

Flooding has also been reported in South Street, Chestfield.

In Thanet, a shop was flooded this morning after heavy rain poured through the back door - just three weeks after the business opened.

Around 10 people worked for three hours to clear up The Haberdashery & Fabric Shop in Ramsgate town centre.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service's area manager Lee Rose says: "If you're in your home and it starts to flood, we'd always urge people to turn off their electricity supplies and then check on neighbours."

He also advised against driving through flooded roads - which can have hidden dangers - and urges motorists to proceed slowly and carefully in wet conditions.

Have you been affected by flooding? Email news@thekmgroup.co.uk

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