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Met Office issues yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms in Kent

By: Liane Castle lcastle@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 07:44, 20 June 2023

Updated: 12:36, 20 June 2023

A weather warning for heavy rain and storms has been issued for the whole of Kent as torrential downpours and thunder sweep the county.

The Met Office says the storms are expected to cause disruption until 10.30am.

Forecasters say the downpours are likely to lead to some travel disruption throughout the morning before moving north east.

Spray and sudden flooding could also create difficult driving conditions and could lead to some road closures.

Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

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The A229 Sheals Crescent has slow moving traffic due to flooding. Picture: KCC Highways

Chris Hunter says the thunder was so loud in the North Downs and Malling area, it sounded like a bomb was going off.

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“There was a flash of lighting very close outside, and then a thunder clap that sounded like a bomb going off right outside the flat,” he explained.

“It's the loudest I've heard since I got caught in a storm half way up a mountain in the Pyrenees.”

In Maidstone, flooding on the carriageway is causing tailbacks on the A229 Sheals Crescent.

Drivers are being warned to expect delays and approach with care.

Rain was "gushing out drains" in Penshurst. Picture: Lucy Fuller-Rowell

Emergency crews were called to two crashes on major link roads following the heavy rain this morning.

Highway officers and police were called to the collisions on the M2 and at the Wainscott Bypass at around 8.30am.

Trains travelling from Maidstone East and Ashford were cancelled at 10am.

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Southeastern tweeted: “Due to flooding, no trains can run from Maidstone East to Ashford.

“Services which run from Ashford towards Maidstone East may be delayed, revised or cancelled.

“You can use your ticket on Arriva bus route 10X between Maidstone and Ashford.”

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