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Met Office forecasters reveal Kent's had the tenth wettest June on record

Forecasters have revealed this month has been the tenth wettest June on record.

Heavy rain and winds battered the county, causing flash flooding and disruption to trains, ferries and on the roads.

More than 90mm of rain fell across Kent between the start of the month and Monday - double what forecasters predict for this time of year.

Heavy rain cast a pall on proceedings for some visitors to the Big Day Out festival in Maidstone
Heavy rain cast a pall on proceedings for some visitors to the Big Day Out festival in Maidstone

The Met Office most rainfall we've seen in June was in 1997.

On Saturday, dozens of homeowners had to be rescued after water flooded properties in Borough Green and Ightham.

The National Trust also had to close the 14th century house at Ightham Mote after flash flooding caused damage to the ground floor.

Meanwhile throughout the month trains were cancelled because of the rain, several roads were flooded across the county, and Kent was hit by repeated flood warnings.

A display by the Red Arrows had to be cancelled due to the poor conditions.

Hoo Road in Wainscott is flooded
Hoo Road in Wainscott is flooded

Just a few days ago more than 20 homes in (aptly-named) Watery Lane in Kemsing had to be evacuated due to "significant" flooding.

At the time, Castle Drive resident Nick Gallwey said he watched a woman attempt to drive through the rising ater, causing her engine to become flooded.

He said: "We saw torrential rain and hail. It was almost biblical. I have never seen that much water in the street.


Drenched Kent - the facts at a glance


"Water gushed up through the manhole covers, filled up the lawn, patio and then came through the house.

"The hail formed ice floes, it was spectacular to see them in June.

At its height, water levels rose up to around 2.5 metres (7ft) after a brook burst its banks in Ightham.

Even a station underpass wasn't immune to the ravages of the rain. Passengers had to wade through water at Herne Bay.

Credit: @hernebaybob
Credit: @hernebaybob

The situation was so bad on the Southeastern train network it offered double the compensation under its Delay Repay scheme after trains were cancelled on June 23.

Marco Petagna, a Met Office forecaster, said: "After a dry start to June, the rest of the month was unsettled."

The agency added there are no signs of pro-longed spells of sunshine in their immediate forecasts.

Ramsgate was hit by floods. Picture by Lisa Salter
Ramsgate was hit by floods. Picture by Lisa Salter
Flooding in Sevenoaks. Picture: Nick Gallwey
Flooding in Sevenoaks. Picture: Nick Gallwey
Flooding in Sevenoaks. Picture: Nick Gallwey
Flooding in Sevenoaks. Picture: Nick Gallwey

There's also been disruption to trains, ferries and roads with transport bosses warning drivers and passengers not to travel unless completely necessary.

While the total rainfall doesn't break any records in Kent, bookmakers Ladbrokes stopped taking bets on this year breaking the record on Sunday after have to slash the odds.

Forecasters added Essex and Surrey are expected to have the wettest June since records began.

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