by Chloe Mills

Fire crews have rescued several people trapped in their cars after flash flooding struck the county.

Thunderstorms and lashing rain have battered Kent, with offices flooded and train services brought to a standstill.

At its peak, up to 30mm of rain was expected to fall within the space of one hour today - three times the expected levels for a whole month for Kent.

Fire crews tackled flooding in Pett Road, Stockbury Valley, Sittingbourne.

There were several people stranded inside broken down vehicles, but no-one has been reported injured.

Crews in water rescue gear helped with the rescue.

KFRS Leanne McMahon, Group Manager for Community Safety said: "It's really important to take care when driving in these stormy conditions.

"Please avoid driving or walking through flood water, it could be deeper than you think."

The fire service later confirmed it received more than 280 weather-related 999 calls and urged people not to drive unless they absolutely have to.

The line at Herne Bay railway station was closed and a number of trains cancelled after flooding to the tracks.

About a foot of water poured into the underpass linking its platforms, forcing commuters to trudge through with plastic bags, handed out by staff, over their feet.

Stuart Blagden, 49, attempted to walk through it.

He said: "I was there at 10.15am and staff members were handing out large, clear bags to hold over your feet and legs to walk through the tunnel which had about a foot of water in it.

"This wasn't easy because I was juggling suitcases as well. I was dropping someone off so I had to go through it again and my feet got wet as the bags began to get holes in them.

"I just had some old trainers on, but I would imagine if you are a lady with expensive high heels it's not going to be so good."

Macknade Fine Foods in Selling Road, Faversham, was closed this morning because of flooding to the store, while the Morrison's in Herne Bay was closed just after 9am following a leak in its roof.

Both shops have since reopened.

Around three foot of flooding completely blocked off Robin Hood Lane, Walderslade Village.

Rainwater has flooded the Esso Robin Hood Services, Walderslade Rd, Chatham.

Video: Bad flooding in Strood, courtesy DrTardisBox

The shop had to be closed and the staff are working to control the water.

Roy Jones, aged 70, who saw the flooding, said: "I've never seen anything like it, I was really shocked."

A yellow weather warning for rain is due to run until around 6am tomorrow.

At least one business in Strood suffered flooding as the heavens opened.

The London-bound carriageway of the M2 has been shut between junctions 5 to 4 after the stretch flooded.

Met Office forecasters predict flooding, power cuts and challenging road conditions.

The weather has taken a torrential turn, after the South East saw one of the hottest days of the year so far yesterday.

Video: Is this a road or a river?

There remains "major disruption" to high speed Southeastern train services due to flooding at Gillingham and buses are in operation in the Sheerness line.

The Medway Valley line has been partly suspended due to flooding and signalling problems and there is minor disruption at the Maidstone East line due to flooding at Lenham, on the Grove Park Line, and on the Paddock Wood line due to problems between Orpington and Sevenoaks.

Several roads have also been flooded, including a lane of the M25 at J4 for Gillingham coast-bound; the M2 London-bound near the Stockbury roundabout and the M25 near J29.

Meanwhile, a crash on the M2 involving an HGV and a car between J6 (Faversham) and J5 (Sittingbourne) is causing delays of around 90 minutes - with traffic backed up to J10 (Ashford).

Emergency services are at the scene and traffic is being allowed to pass via the hard shoulder.

Highways officials say there are delays of more than an hour on approach, due to flooding between J5 and J4.

Meanwhile, as of 5.15pm, KCC Highways was reporting several road closures, including Bramble Lane and Harville Road in Wye, and The Street in Molash.

There was also "localised flooding" in Sea Street, Herne Bay.

In Dartford, motorists were advised to proceed with caution on South Fleet Road.

Officials said Gravesend town centre was now clear following earlier flood, but reported delays at Wrotham Road in Hook Green due to damaged manhole cover.

In Maidstone, the A26 Tonbridge Road is closed due to a "significant" carriageway collapse.

It is shut between Fountain Lane and Terminus Road.

Pett Lane and Pett Road in Stockbury are also impassable due to stones and debris coming down the road and Rigshill Road in Otterden is impassable due to flooding.

Heavy flooding has also caused access issues in Boxley Road, while Old Lenham Road in Winchling has been severely damaged.

Officials said the A249 at Detling Hill, at Hucking and at Stockbury is flooded in both directions, with the water especially deep at Hucking on the Maidstone-bound carriageway.

Bicknor Lane in Stockbury has also suffered a damaged road surface.

Meanwhile, Goudhurst Road in Marden has been shut after an HGV came off road.

Canterbury Road in Folkestone has also flooded and the Lower Road in Teynham has been closed.

London Road in Aylesford near Hall Road is also flooded and there has been reports of a mud slid in Warren Road.

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