The Met Office has issued a weather warning as flooding has hit Devon, Gloucestershire, Plymouth, Sussex, Kent, Dorset, and elsewhere this morning, closing motorways and roads.
UK cities have been hit by flooding after downpours overnight, with ‘knee-deep’ water in some parts of the country.
Floods have submerged roads in Devon, Gloucestershire, Plymouth, Sussex, Kent, Dorset, and elsewhere this morning.
The floodwater has caused chaos across the nation, shutting down motorways and blocking roads.
It comes after the Met Office issued a warning for rain across northern England today, meaning further flooding could be on the way.
Earlier today, floods shut the railway line at Yetminster, Dorset, and downed trees blocked tracks and roads in the UK. Police have warned commuters to take care to avoid aquaplaning on roads due to the heavy rainfall.
The M23 southbound in Sussex was shut for around an hour due to flooding between junction 10 and 11. A dramatic picture shared by Sgt Richard Hobbs, of Sussex Police, shows a pool of water covering all three lanes of the carriageway.
Elsewhere, a three-car crash took place on the M20 in Kent earlier today, with a lane closed on part of the motorway due to flooding.
The closure led to a tailback on the carriageway, causing delays for drivers. An entry slip road to the M26 was also shut due to the floods.
Another smash took place on the A21 at Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, at around 5.30 am today.
Meanwhile, two crashes were recorded in Gloucestershire earlier today, with reports of trees falling across at least two roads in the county.
Bins were knocked over and rubbish was left strewn across the street in Devon as downpours were accompanied by high winds. Residents reported knee-deep floodwater in Exeter, Devon.
The Environment Agency is urging people to be prepared for flooding around the River Darent from Westerham to Dartford, the River Shuttle and River Cray near Dartford, and the Ravensbourne area in the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley, Greenwich, and Croydon.
It said: “While uncertainty remains around exact timings and which areas will experience the heaviest rain there is a possibility that rivers could respond quickly and overtop their banks.
“Flooding to low-lying land, roads, and riverside gardens is possible.
“Surface water flooding may also affect low-lying areas. We recommend you monitor local weather conditions. You should avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water.
“We are monitoring rainfall and river levels and are checking rivers for blockages.”
It comes after downpours left large stretches of London’s transport system and city center shopping areas underwater.
Heavy rain early this morning caused flooding in Knightsbridge in West London, leaving the high-end shopping district knee-deep in water.
The dramatic weather event will have also caused commuting misery for hundreds of thousands this morning.
Transport for London has said at least four lines are partially suspended or severely delayed due to the huge build-up of water.
Roads into and in the city have been left submerged following the downpour in the early hours.
Footage from Knightsbridge shows the main road in the upper-end area completely covered in roughly half a foot of water.
Further north in Hampstead flooding has led to road closures including the usually busy Vardnell Street, likely meaning long delays for those who have to venture out this morning.
In the far south of the city, drains could be seen bubbling helplessly in the middle of subsumed roads in Croydon.
Severe flooding was also recorded on the A4 for drivers coming in and out of London.
