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Torrential rain and flash flooding cause Sussex chaos Torrential rain and flash flooding cause travel chaos
(35 minutes later)
Lightning strikes, hail, torrential rain and flash flooding have caused major travel problems across Sussex. Lightning strikes, hail, torrential rain and flash flooding have caused major travel problems across east and south-east England.
Flooding has caused problems on both the A270 Old Shoreham Road at Portslade and also on Church Road in Hove which is reported to be closed. There have been problems on the roads in Sussex, Essex and London.
Buses have been suspended in Portslade, Southwick and Mile Oak. Electrical supply problems caused by a lightning strike have led to disruption on Southern railways, with services subject to delays.
Electrical supply problems caused by a lightning strike have also led to disruption on Southern railways, with services subject to delays. London Fire Service said it was helping people trapped in their cars across parts of the capital.
Services between Brighton, Hove and Shoreham-by-Sea are affected, but replacement buses are currently unable to operate in the area due to the high volume of water on the roads. Rail services between Brighton, Hove and Shoreham-by-Sea are affected, but replacement buses are currently unable to operate in the area due to the high volume of water on the roads.
The lightning hit an electricity sub-station, causing power to the coastal rail route to be cut, although the main line to London was running normally, according to a Network Rail spokeswoman.The lightning hit an electricity sub-station, causing power to the coastal rail route to be cut, although the main line to London was running normally, according to a Network Rail spokeswoman.
Local residents said the storm started at 05.30 BST, leading to torrential rain. In Essex, a road in the village of Thaxted has collapsed and several homes were left flooded as a result of the heavy rain.
Five people in the village were taken to safety by fire crews and the boiler house at the village primary school in Bardfield Road has been flooded.
In north-west London, two women had to be rescued from a car stranded in flash-flooding after it became immobile outside South Ruislip Station.
London Fire Brigade said it was also dealing with two stranded cars on Eastcote Road in Harrow.
Fifty properties have been flooded on Bedford Road in Ruislip, while tube services have been affected with no service currently on the Metropolitan Line between Ruislip and Rayners Lane.
Sussex residents said the storm started at 05.30 BST, leading to torrential rain.
Writing on Twitter Laurence Hill wrote: "Used to be roads. Now rivers of hail. Never seen anything like it."Writing on Twitter Laurence Hill wrote: "Used to be roads. Now rivers of hail. Never seen anything like it."
Brighton and Hove Police posted: "Localised flooding in Hove and Portslade, some roads not passable. Please do not enter flood water on foot or in cars."Brighton and Hove Police posted: "Localised flooding in Hove and Portslade, some roads not passable. Please do not enter flood water on foot or in cars."
PC Andy Huggett, of Sussex Police, said: "Heavy rain after a long warm spell invariably leads to slippery roads and drivers need to immediately adjust to the new conditions.PC Andy Huggett, of Sussex Police, said: "Heavy rain after a long warm spell invariably leads to slippery roads and drivers need to immediately adjust to the new conditions.
"Along with the surface conditions, there are the added hazards of very heavy rain, flash flooding and poor visibility and it is essential that drivers make allowances.""Along with the surface conditions, there are the added hazards of very heavy rain, flash flooding and poor visibility and it is essential that drivers make allowances."
He added that drivers who encountered flooding should "slow down and don't go into the water unless you are absolutely sure that it is not too deep for your vehicle and that includes 4x4s".
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said its Brighton crews had dealt with a large number of weather-related emergency calls which had included flooding, lightning strikes "and false alarms caused by the weather".East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said its Brighton crews had dealt with a large number of weather-related emergency calls which had included flooding, lightning strikes "and false alarms caused by the weather".
Brighton and Hove City Council said essential services were being maintained across the city, and drains would start to carry away the water once the rain subsided.Brighton and Hove City Council said essential services were being maintained across the city, and drains would start to carry away the water once the rain subsided.
"City clean are working with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to clear roadside gullies."City clean are working with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to clear roadside gullies.
"The refuse and recycling service is operating normally but might be a bit slower due to the weather," a spokesman said."The refuse and recycling service is operating normally but might be a bit slower due to the weather," a spokesman said.
The council said its offices in Kings House were currently closed due to flooding in the basement which was threatening some of the main electrical panels.The council said its offices in Kings House were currently closed due to flooding in the basement which was threatening some of the main electrical panels.
It said staff were relocating to other buildings, and there would be some disruption to services.It said staff were relocating to other buildings, and there would be some disruption to services.