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Kent weather warning: torrential rain and high winds hit county as Storm Brendan hits UK

Several roads have been blocked by fallen trees as the county is battered by heavy rain and strong wind.

At least three have come down - including on the A252 in Chilham, the A264 near Tunbridge Wells, and A228 in Pembury - as gusts of up to 70mph have hit Kent and much of the UK.

The River Medway during the high wind and rain today

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had been inundated with 999 calls about fallen trees, but urged the public to report them to Kent Highways unless there was an "immediate risk to life or property".

A 30mph speed limit was also put in place on the Dartford Crossing as a safety precaution.

Rail passengers did not avoid the disruption either as a train struck a fallen tree near Selling.

Network Rail had to send a specialist team to remove it from the tracks and Southeastern laid on buses to replace trains between Faversham and Dover.

It happened at around 6.44pm and the line did not reopen until around 9pm.

A trampoline spotted on the seafront in Herne Bay. Picture: Marianne Delaney
A trampoline spotted on the seafront in Herne Bay. Picture: Marianne Delaney

Meanwhile, ferries from Dover to Calais have been delayed as torrential downpour and powerful gales hit.

P&O Ferries, along with DFDS, have told passengers to expect waiting times - with some more than 90 minutes.

The River Medway has been choppy and rising fast at KentOnline's offices in Strood as the worst of the weather, which started last night, is expected until about midnight.

Showers are expected to last until 9am tomorrow and the Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for wind and rain.

The run of bad weather has been predicted for a number of days, with public transport set to suffer.

The Met Office has warned that delays could be seen by train, car and plane users.

Drivers are being warned to drive slowly, and that residents should prepare for power cuts.

But the situation is worse elsewhere in the UK after Storm Brendan hit, causing widespread disruption and damage.

The area of low pressure moving across the south east as today progress is separate to the storm.

Flood warnings have also been issued for the Isle of Sheppey and coastal areas from Kemsley to Seasalter and other areas at risk of tidal flooding include the Medway estuary and Isle of Grain, including Aylesford, the Medway Towns, Lower Halstow, Middle Stoke and Lower Stoke, the River Eden and River Brook.

A weather warning for rain has been added to the previous forecast of high winds. Picture: Met Office
A weather warning for rain has been added to the previous forecast of high winds. Picture: Met Office

In Barham, near Canterbury, a river which has laid dormant for six years has started flowing again through the village.

And in Chilham the A252 is blocked in both directions by a fallen tree. Police received a call about the incident at about 5.05pm.

Meanwhile, flood barriers have been deployed after a river which has lain dormant for years began to flow.

  • To report a fallen tree tweet @KentHighways or call 03000 418 181 or tweet @MedwayHighways.

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