A huge thunderstorm has left homes flooded after torrential downpours battered Kent last night.

Twenty-one residents in Dover have been forced to leave their homes, with the east of the county the worst affected.

The Met Office issued an amber alert on Friday, warning of potential flooding as the storm moved in from across the Channel.

It hit Kent at about 10pm, damaging properties across the county.

Homes in East Street, Dover, have been flooded, with one resident, Emma Hawkes, saying she could not go downstairs due to the levels of water.

She said: “My house is wrecked. We could not physically open the door.”

Charlotte Prosser’s home in Devonshire Road, Tower Hamlets, Dover, has also been “ruined”.

She said: “It started raining very hard, but we brushed it off, and then we heard a loud bang and the power cut out.

“I told my sister to get some candles, and she nearly slipped. The whole kitchen was flooded, and water was coming through the back door.

“I rushed down the stairs, and it was inches deep. All houses along the street were flooded.

“It is just a nightmare. It just started gushing into the house, and I broke down in tears. This day will forever haunt me.”

She said her sofa and white goods, including her fridge and washing machine, have been ruined, while human faeces and mud have been brought into the house.

The 21-year-old, along with her partner and baby, left the area last night to stay with family in Folkestone.

Homes in Templar Street, Dour Street, Folkestone Road and Maison Dieu Road have also been flooded, as well as Buckland Hospital in Coombe Valley Road.

People wanting to use the urgent treatment centre on site are being told to check online for alternative centres or call 111 for advice.

Mike Tapp, MP for Dover and Deal, said 21 people are now in temporary accommodation in a hotel.

He said: “The flooding in Dover overnight has been devastating. I am in touch with Dover District Council about the immediate response.”

The fire service says it has been called to several incidents in East Kent, including flooded homes in Dover, alongside volunteers and partner agencies.

Crews have worked to clear the properties of water and provided assistance and support to affected residents.

The service is urging people whose homes are flooding, or who need rescuing, and there is a risk to life, to call 999 and ask for "fire".

Meanwhile, bus operator Stagecoach said it was forced to cancel services between Dover and Canterbury last night due to "severe flooding".

The A256 in Tilmanstone, near Dover, was closed by police as one driver was seen sitting on the roof of his car after getting stuck in flood water.

In nearby York Street, water was seen rushing down steps next to Lancaster House, destroying a brick wall.

In Margate, Dreamland has announced it will be closed today due to the “heavy rain” from last night’s storm.

A spokesperson said: “We know that many of you have been affected too, and we hope you are all safe and well.

“The team at Dreamland are all hands-on deck making everything shipshape again, but we are unfortunately not able to open the park today.

“Tonight’s Rewind On Sea event will be going ahead as planned, and we look forward to seeing ticket holders later on today.”

The amusement park is expected to reopen tomorrow (June 15).

Thanet District Council has also advised visitors against bathing and entering the sea after it was confirmed there was a discharge of stormwater overnight due to the heavy rain.

Signs are in place at the 14 affected beaches from West Bay in Westgate-on-Sea to Western Undercliff in Ramsgate.

Authority bosses say further inspections are due to take place.

Elsewhere, a semi-detached bungalow was struck by lightning in Trevor Drive, Allington, leaving residents without power.

Homeowner Jeanette Sayer said: “I was aware the storm was coming. I saw the lightning flashing about 10pm, and I could hear the thunder.

“I thought it did not sound good when all of a sudden I heard this huge almighty bang, which shook everything.

“When I opened the door, there was just thick, black smoke. The whole wall was black. It is devastating.

“It was like being in a war zone. I do not know what would have happened if my daughter or I were in that room. It does not bear thinking about.

“I am just in total shock. We are incredibly lucky no one was hurt.”

The 54-year-old called the fire brigade, and two crews attended the scene.

She was told it is likely the lightning struck the chimney.