Twenty fire engines were sent to numerous properties after they were flooded during torrential downpours.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to reports of a number of flooded properties in Chatham, Gillingham and Snodland.

At Elm Court Garden Centre in Gillingham, video footage posted on its Facebook page showed the extent of the weather as water poured through the roof.

On its Facebook page, the centre said: “Twenty minutes of unbelievable chaos, both staff and customers were dumbstruck with the event.

“One staff member who has worked at the garden centre for over 20 years said she certainly has not seen anything like this event before.

“It's been a late night but the whole team rallied around and have done a great clean-up job and we will be open as usual tomorrow morning (Saturday).

“Please bear with us as there are a few displays which have been adversely affected.”

KFRS said 20 fire engines were sent to the affected areas, including Walderslade Road, Nelson Terrace, Mckenzie Road, Hopewell Drive, Sundridge Drive, Beechmore Drive and Gorse Avenue in Chatham.

They also went to Recreation Avenue in Snodland and Wheatcroft Grove, Bond Road and Brackwood Close in Gillingham, where crews used specialist equipment to clear flood water.

The heavy rain which struck the county this afternoon saw many places deluged with water, including Rainham shopping precinct and part of Walderslade Road in Chatham.

Richard Cooper captured video at Rainham Shopping Centre as the rain poured down.

Some people living close by said on social media their homes had flooded too.

Meanwhile, the Co-Op in the village centre off Walderslade Road in Chatham closed its doors after water poured in.

A spokesman for the Co-Op said just before 5pm: “We have got quite a severe flood in the shop at the minute.

“The rain has come through the door, and so for health and safety we need to clear it up and close.

“It happened a few minutes ago, and so we’ll be closed for the next hour.

“Where the doctor’s surgery is the road dips into quite a deep hill, so the water pools there.”

There were also reports of parts of the A20 near West Malling flooded too.

The Met Office had declared a yellow warning for thunderstorms across the county, including Swale, Medway, Maidstone and Canterbury, for this evening.