Sussex on flood alert
6:36am Tuesday 12th June 2012 in News
Sussex is on flood alert after a month's worth of rain fell in just 12 hours - with experts warning of more to come.
The deluge forced people out of their flooded homes while animals stranded in fields resembling rivers had to be rescued.
Officials warned residents in the worst hit areas to prepare as rain continues to fall today into the county's swollen rivers.
Driving conditions are treacherous this morning across the county.
There are renewed risks of further flooding, the Environment Agency has warned.
Forecasters have revealed there will be no respite from the rain over coming days.
The EA said there is a "continued" risk of surface water flooding from overwhelmed drains across parts of East and West Sussex.
Some 50 flood alerts have been issued across England and Wales and six flood warnings, including for:
The Barnham Rife at Barnham, including the B2233, Lake Lane, Orchard Way, and Downview Road, West Sussex
The Aldingbourne Rife at Bersted, including Addison Way, Riverside Caravan Park, and the South Bersted industrial estate, West Sussex
The Aldingbourne and Lidsey Rifes at Felpham, including the Whitfield Close, the A259, Links Avenue, and Butlins Holiday Centre, West Sussex
Wiggonholt in West Sussex received the biggest lashing with 63 millimetres of rainfall during the last 24 hours.
"It is June's rainfall in one day," said Victoria Kettley, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association.
The average June rainfall for south east, central and southern England is 50 millimetres.
Despite the heavy rainfall, an Environment Agency spokesman confirmed areas of southern England remained in drought.
He said: "The rain we have had since the start of April - following the driest March for 70 years - has led to a huge improvement in water resources, putting us in a much more positive position for the summer.
"Water companies have seen reservoir levels rise, river levels are mostly back to normal, and many wildlife habitats that were suffering due to a lack of water have recovered.
"While the risk of drought with further water restrictions and associated environmental impacts this summer has reduced, the situation could deteriorate again next year if there is not enough rain this winter, particularly as groundwater levels are still low for this time of year."
The Met Office said the UK was still below its average rainfall for the time of year.
Between January and May, 392.5 millimetres of rain fell across the country, compared to an average of 439 millimetres.
INCIDENTS - updated 7.50am
A fallen tree near the junction of the the A27 and A24 in Worthing is causing delays to commuters.
Traffic reports suggested the road remains closed both ways, just west of the Offington Corner roundabout, alongside Durrington Cemetery.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue reported that the volume of calls to its centre had stedied overnight.
A spokeswoman said its crews were still out pumping water where it could.
She added the worst affected areas were the Felpham and Middleton areas of Bognor.
A group of elderly people in the Elmer area of Bognor had to be rescued and were taken to the Arun rescue centre in Felpham.
Those staying at Butlin's holiday park in Bognor said last night they had to be reallocated rooms as water in some blocks had reached waist height.
Others due to visit have been turned away by staff.
Crews from Hove Fire Station assisted colleagues in West Sussex in pumping water from properties and areas in Littlehampton.
Send us your wet weather pictures. Email them to news@theargus.co.uk or text them to 80360 starting your message with SUPIC.
Road closures currently in effect:
A23 closed southbound near Slaugham; A259 Felpham Way - traffic through; A27 Chichester to Emsworth - diversion along A259 (old A27); A272 Bolney; A29 Shripney Road, Shripney; Aldwick Road, Aldwick; B2114 Rose Cottage Lane, Staplefield; Bernard Road, West Worthing; Blakes Farm Road, Horsham; Chichester Road, Bognor; East Mascalls lane, Lindfield; Elmer Road, Middleton; Fitzalan Road, Littlehampton; Gossamer Lane, Bognor; Holmbush Sub Way, Faygate; Ifield Avenue and Ifeld Green, Crawley; Kerves Lane, Horsham - tree down and flooding at Amies Mill bridge; Lake Lane, Barnham; Maidenbower Lane, Crawley; North Parade, Horsham; Titnore Lane, Worthing; Warninglid Lane, Warninglid; Yapton Road Barnham
Roads passable with care but causing long delays:
A24 Findon bends southbound; A259 at North Bersted, Bognor down to one lane and getting worse; A281 at the Bull pub, Henfield; A29 North junction A27; A29 Shripney bends; B2178 West Ashling; B2233 Yapton - Barnham Road; Cuckfield Road - A23 to Burgess Hill; Ifield Avenue, Ifield - Gatwick stream up, surface water unable to discharge; Kennedy Road, Horsham; Main road, Southbourne; Monteswood Lane, Lindfield - river flooded; Rose Cottage Lane Jct B2114 Staplefield; The Oaks, Burgess Hill; Water Lane, Angmering.
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
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