Environment Agency releases flood warnings for rivers and coastal areas in Kent
Published: 07:17, 01 January 2023
Updated: 08:18, 01 January 2023
Large parts of Kent are braced for flooding after heavy rain overnight.
The Environment Agency has issued eight warnings for the county, covering the Rivers Teise, Medway, Eden, Beult and Upper Stour.
There are also alerts in place at coastal areas, at New Romney and around Herne Bay and Swalecliffe.
The Environment Agency stated: "The Environment Agency Flood Warning System has issued these message based on rising river or tidal levels."
It comes after the county was lashed with rain and high winds overnight.
The Met Office said conditions were likely to last several days, as a result of a strong jet stream they are calling a 'bomb cyclone'.
More wet weather is expected in Kent this afternoon.
The full list of warnings is as follows:
- River Beult from Bethersden and Pluckley to Stile Bridge, including Smarden, Headcorn, Staplehurst and Hawkenbury
- River Teise and Lesser Teise area from Horsmonden to Yalding, including Claygate, Collier Street and Laddingford
- Plenty Brook from Eddington to the sea, including Herne Bay, the Swalecliffe Brook from near Court Lees to the sea, including Chestfield and Swalecliffe and the West Brook from the railway line to the sea including Studd Hill and Hampton
- River Medway from Penshurst to Hampstead Lock at Yalding, including the Leigh Flood Storage area, the Ensfield Road, Tonbridge, Paddock Wood, the Hop Farm, East Peckham, Branbridges and Hale Street
- Rivers Eden, Eden Brook and Kent Ditch from Blindley Heath to Penshurst including Edenbridge and Hever
- Communities on the Great Stour from Charing Heath to the A2070 including Ashford, communities on the East Stour, communities on the Whitewater and Ruckinge Dykes and the Aylesford Stream
- Plenty Brook from Eddington to the sea, including Herne Bay, the Swalecliffe Brook from near Court Lees to the sea, including Chestfield and Swalecliffe and the West Brook from the railway line to the sea including Studd Hill and Hampton
- New Romney Sewage Arm from the Sewage Treatment Works to the Sea and from Littlestone Road to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, including New Romney
It comes as Environment Agency workers are taking part in industrial action in a dispute over pay.
Staff have been working-to-rule, meaning alerts outside working hours are being automated.
It has caused concern for villagers in flood-prone Yalding, who have questioned how the agency will respond if the worst should happen out of hours.
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Claire McWethy