Threat of flooding continues in Yalding, near Maidstone, Malling, Weald and surrounding areas after Storm Dennis
Published: 10:45, 18 February 2020
Updated: 12:56, 18 February 2020
Flood alerts are still in place in Maidstone, Malling and Weald.
Footpaths and roads remain flooded after Storm Dennis hit this weekend.
Water leaking from brickwork at the Broadway subway, Maidstone
Several red warnings have been extended for another day by the Environment Agency due to the River Medway bursting its banks.
The river levels near Little Venice Caravan Park and Yalding are still very high.
The water is said to be falling but there is still a threat of flooding to some properties and roads at the site and surrounding location.
In Yalding, river levels were at their highest at 6.30pm yesterday but were slightly lower than those seen in December.
People with riverside homes are warned there is still a chance their houses could flood, particularly near Bow Bridge in Wateringbury and in East Farleigh.
Another red warning is also in place nearby for East Peckham.
Those with flood resilience measures, including flood door gates, are advised to keep them up.
Residents at Little Venice Caravan Park were voluntarily evacuated on Sunday.
The owner, Albert Lee, said: "There has been no damage because all of the lodges and static caravans are on floatation devices. They have risen when the water level went up and have worked exactly for what they are designed to do.
"The staff have been fantastic. Myself and the staff have the situation well under control and the people will all be back in their homes in the next day or so."
Amber flood warnings are also in force along the River Medway from Aylesford to Nettlestead Green.
In the town centre, the Broadway subway is cordoned off as water is coming out of the brick walls.
A spokesman for Kent County Council said: "We are aware of the flooding in the Maidstone subway and undertake regular servicing and maintenance of the pumps and drainage system to keep this to a minimum.
"Unfortunately extensive rainfall from both Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis far exceeds what we would expect any drainage system to cope with.
"We appreciate the harm flooding causes and are investigating all enquires received around public drains and roads, prioritising property flooding and main roads.
"We inspected the subway on Monday (February 17) and manually activated the pump to remove the flooding, however, the subway currently remains closed as a precaution.
"As soon as the subway is safe to reopen we shall do so."
The footpath which runs underneath Bishops Way and past the Archbishop's Palace is also flooded.
Flooding on low lying land and farmland is expected to continue in Hildenborough and Tonbridge and drivers in Edenbridge and Penshurst are advised to avoid low lying roads near rivers.
The same warning has been issued to residents near Staplehurst, Headcorn and Frittenden.
KMTV report on the flooding and power cuts
Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone
Read more: All the latest news from Malling
Read more: All the latest news from Weald
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Lydia Catling