Weather washout: Flood warnings announced as Tube station forced to close after torrential downpours
6 November 2022, 11:52 | Updated: 6 November 2022, 21:45
Flood warnings have been issued after torrential downpours swept the south east overnight, causing travel chaos.
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The Met Office put a yellow warning for rain in place until 4pm on Sunday, with "persistent" and "heavy rain" on the cards for many in the south.
The environment agency also issued 16 flood alerts for the south in the morning.
Flooding is expected to hit homes and businesses as well as causing travel disruption on buses and trains.
A Met Office spokesman said: "Southern England and the South East has seen quite a heavy band of rain move fairly slowly.
"Following it is going to be a day of blustery showers, thundery at times, so it's going to be a wet day ahead."
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While many journeys have been delayed, Transport for London (TfL) also announced on Sunday morning that Dagenham Heathway Tube station had been forced to close due to flooding. It has since reopened.
Holloway Road in North London was likened to a "swimming pool" by one local this morning.
Holloway Road is like a swimming pool this morning 🌧
— It's a London thing (@urbanpastoral) November 6, 2022
Cars in Sussex have also been submerged in water and multiple roads blocked.
Participants in the annual London to Brighton veteran car run plowed on through the torrential rain.
The pouring rain also made for tough playing conditions in the Chelsea V Arsenal match at Stamford Bridge.
The weekend washout looks set to extend even further into next week too, with showers and longer spells of rain expected mainly in the west.
More rain will be on the way overnight into Tuesday, which will also see frequent showers throughout the day before easing into Wednesday.
Downpours will then make a return in northwestern areas on Thursday.
As a result of the change in weather, Southern Water has lifted its three-month-old hosepipe ban for millions across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
However, both Thames Water and South East Water, which serve London, large parts of Kent and Sussex, have kept their ban in place.
🌧️ Rain across southeast England will slowly clear into this afternoon
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 6, 2022
🌦️Showers will spread eastwards, and could be heavy and thundery
🌬️ Blustery in and around and showers, especially in the west
Check out your afternoon forecast for all the details 👇 pic.twitter.com/g3IXhEmUPh
For the rest of the weekend, the northwest remains drier, with the best chance of sunshine and highs of 15C.
Bands of strong wind and heavy showers are set to move eastwards later in the day.
