Roads in parts of Kent turned into virtual rivers today as heavy downpours caused flash flooding.

Cars around Sittingbourne were forced to drive through deep water as torrential rain left havoc in its wake.

It comes after the county was put on flood alert today after being issued with a weather warning for heavy and thundery rain.

The Met Office said surface water flooding and poor driving conditions are likely after the downpours.

It comes after flooding this afternoon in parts of Sittingbourne - hit by deluges at the weekend that left many roads flooded.

Corinne Landen and her two neighbours in Gadby Road, Sittingbourne, were left with flooded gardens and driveways after water started seeping out of manhole covers at the rear of their properties at about 1pm today.

At its deepest point it was five to six inches high.

Mrs Landen, 60, said: “It’s happened four times this year now. It happens whenever it rains hard so when I got up this morning and looked at the weather report I thought ‘Oh my God’, but what can you do at the end of the day?

“Southern Water sent Dyno-Rod out to clean up and disinfect us all on Sunday.

"They then put a camera down the sewer and said they could clean it but it would take a couple of weeks [before they could do the work] and now we’ve flooded again.

“I had to call my husband Neil home from work and my neighbour at number 51. Luckily he has a submersible pump.

“The water wasn’t in my house but it wasn’t far off my air brick.

“My sons came over from Faversham and my sister’s here to help clear up. I called Southern Water and they have given us all a case manager and have promised to look into the matter and they are sending out a clean up team this afternoon too.

“Once the rain stops it will disappear then we’re usually left with all the gunky mess - toilet paper and other unpleasantness.”

Extensive flooding has also been reported in Bell Road, Sittingbourne, from Glovers Crescent to Avenue of Remembrance following the downpour which happened between 1pm and 2pm.

Cllr Roger Truelove reported the matter to Kent County Council’s Highways department which called it through to Southern Water.

As a result the firm is sending a crew to the scene to deal with the incident.

He said: “There had been a heavy downfall but not sufficient [enough] to cause the flooding, which is like a river overflow.

“It was coming down Bell Road like a tidal. Apart from sending emails to Kathryn Lewis [drainage and flood manager KCC highways and transportation] to let her know what’s happening there’s not a lot else I can do.

“I’m told they are looking to do a scheme there to try and deal with the surface water.

"Investigation works are being arranged at the moment. What that involves exactly I have no idea.”

The bottom of Milton Regis High Street was also affected again at the junction of St Paul’s Street as was the roundabout at the bottom of the road linking Mill Way. Quinton Road, Quinton, didn’t escape either.

A photo on Facebook shows water up to one person’s ankles in the car park area of Asda in Mill Way, Sittingbourne.

Meanwhile, Blair Park care home in Crown Road, Milton Regis, was forced to put sandbags at its back door to stop eight inches of water at the rear of the building.

Senior manager Sarah McKelvie said: “The water came from drains in Cortland Close and poured through the grounds of neighbouring properties.

“Once the rain stops it will disappear then we’re usually left with all the gunky mess - toilet paper and other unpleasantness" - Corinne Landen

"It knocked down a wall at the back on Sunday - in fact we were sorting out the debris when the rain started. It was coming through like two separate water falls.

"The maintenance team worked very quickly to put the sandbags down.

"There’s a bit of water on the entrance carpet.”

Forecasters predicted heavy showers and thunderstorms will become more widespread during the day.

A Met Office spokesman said: "The public should be aware of the risk of localised surface water flooding, with the added hazard of lightning in some areas."