Bad weather triggers flood alerts across south-east England

Wet weather has prompted a warning of flooding in areas of south-east England.

Flood alerts have been put in place on the River Mole and its tributaries from Kinnersley Manor to South Hersham in Surrey.

They have also been triggered on the Western Rother, Climping Seafront, River Adur East Branch, Upper Ouse and Cuckmere River in Sussex, according to the government’s flooding alerts’ website.

Kent’s Rivers Eden and Eden Brook, and the Isle of Sheppey and coast from Kemsley to Seasalter are also at risk of flooding.

Most alerts are set to remain in place throughout Sunday.

Strong winds overnight from Friday to Saturday damaged homes in Seaford in East Sussex, which residents called “a mini tornado”.

It comes as the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain affecting south-east England and London.

The government agency said heavy rain may bring travel disruption in places from Monday night into Tuesday.

People can expect a “slight chance” of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses during a yellow rain warning, it detailed.

Fast-flowing or deep floodwater is also possible, which the Met Office said could cause a “danger to life”, alongside delays or cancellations to train and bus services.

Discussing the UK’s upcoming weather picture, Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist Steven Keates said the exact track, depth and timings of the low-pressure system were “uncertain”.

He added this made it “harder to determine where will be most impacted by strong winds and/or heavy rain”.

The Met Office forecast for the rest of December remains unsettled with further periods of low pressure predicted.

Meteorologists said it was too early to provide an accurate forecast for the Christmas period.