Thunderstorms and flash flooding have wreaked havoc across south-east London and north Kent.
Torrential downpours throughout the night and into this morning (June 23) have caused flooding in Lee, Lewisham, Bexleyheath, Catford, Thamesmead and Crayford.
A20 Lee High Road (SE13) at the junction of Belmont Park - Flooding in the carriageway. Approach with care. pic.twitter.com/8hvgrRVCEQ
— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) June 23, 2016
After earlier disruption, trains are now running normally between Lewisham and Barnehurst following flooding in the Blackheath area.
However there are fewer services on routes to and from Dartford via Woolwich, Bexleyheath and Sidcup.
There is a reduced service between Dartford and Gravesend and between London and Orpington via Grove Park.
Trains on the Hayes line may start and terminate at Elmers End, Clock House or New Beckenham, while Victoria to Orpington services will be diverted to and from Blackfriars.
Total chaos at Dartford station. Flooding on the lines #GetDartfordMoving pic.twitter.com/qhyU33u6ZR
— Steve Doran (@girlsteve) June 23, 2016
London Overground trains have been suspended due to a deluge between New Cross and Surrey Quays - just hours after late-night trains were cancelled at Crystal Palace when a tree fell on the line close to Sydenham.
Welcome to London look how they got us crossing the river Nile just to get to the train station @royal_greenwich pic.twitter.com/GdvddAFk0r
— Less is More (@Les_b_fab) June 23, 2016
The Blackwall Tunnel was also shut both ways early this morning, causing long queues for drivers.
#skynews #bbcnews #brexit #flood
— Ubering Heights (@uberukdriver) June 23, 2016
Blackwall tunnel flooded avoid. S/Bound complete chaos N/bound just about made it pic.twitter.com/3n7KyweYac
#BlackwallTunnel is currently CLOSED northbound due to flooding. Drivers are advised to seek an alternative route. pic.twitter.com/uzcKd3exYB
— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) June 23, 2016
Blackwall Tunnel has been closed southbound to allow contractor vehicles to use the tunnel to reach the flooded area north of the tunnel.
— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) June 23, 2016
The tunnel reopened just before 1pm - TfL have confirmed that all traffic is now flowing normally.
All buses in the Lewisham area are currently delayed due to bad weather and the earlier Blackwall Tunnel closure.
All buses in the Lewisham area are delayed due to bad weather and earlier Blackwall Tunnel closure. Please use alternative routes if poss
— TfL Bus Alerts (@TfLBusAlerts) June 23, 2016
Foots Cray High Street has also been closed due to flooding, with bus routes 233 and 492 on diversion.
Meanwhile this was the scene at Old Bexley and Sidcup MP James Brokenshire's local polling station this morning.
Last minute challenge at the polling station! Thanks to all the poll clerks for ensuring people can vote today pic.twitter.com/CZDM5gB7Gj
— James Brokenshire (@JBrokenshire) June 23, 2016
And this was the scene in Crayford after the heavy rain:
London Fire Brigade (LFB) received more than 300 phone calls to reports of weather-related incidents in just over an hour.
Call-outs included lightning striking buildings, flooded homes and businesses and rising waters trapping vehicles.
An LFB spokesman said: "Crews are being mobilised to incidents as quickly as possible but the brigade is appealing to people to only call 999 in an emergency - where there is a risk to life or property.
"Between around 1.30am and 3am our control officers took over three hundred calls – around as many as they would receive in an average day."
Flooding at Cator Park in Beckenham. Picture: Lauren Bodyfit
Some 20.5mm of rain fell in Bexley in just one hour - this equals almost half last month's average rainfall.
In Thamesmead, there are reports that Southmere Lake has risen half a foot since 7am.
Been told Southmere Lake has risen half a foot since 7am pic.twitter.com/Q6XzEZHHrF
— Thamesmead Police (@MPSThamesmead) June 23, 2016
The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings over rivers in Bromley and Sidcup - two of 22 alerts across the south-east.
Flood Warning, 3:27AM 23/06/2016, River Shuttle in Blackfen, Sidcup, Old B..., https://t.co/OZsCZrusw8 #floodaware pic.twitter.com/QD22D1L0iE
— FloodAlerts (@FloodAlerts) June 23, 2016
Waterside, Crayford. Picture: Brian Barnett
A spokesman said: "Environment Agency teams are out on the ground clearing screens, monitoring the situation and will issue flood warnings and alerts where necessary.
"We are supporting local authorities which are responding to surface water flooding.
"We urge people not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car."
300 '999' calls as we attend floods & lightning strikes in #londonstorm https://t.co/wtHRVVOOhG pic @globalsnewsroom pic.twitter.com/aYjMhhqf6H
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) June 23, 2016
A spokesman for National Rail said: “Our advice to passengers in the south east this morning is to please check before you travel, either with your operator's website or on National Rail Enquiries.
“Our staff have been out all night and are still out in the rain working with pumps and repairing damage, and we are doing all that we can to keep trains running.”
A Southeastern spokesman added: “The torrential rain and heavy thunderstorms overnight have caused significant delay across our network this morning. We know this has been very difficult for our passengers and we apologise.
“Due to this severe weather – which has seen flooding, signalling problems and a line side fire causing line closures - a number of our trains and crews have been displaced, meaning they are not where they need to be on our network in order to meet our timetable.
“We now have to try and concentrate on ensuring that we have as good a service as possible up and running for the afternoon peak in order to get our commuters back home."
Further scattered thunderstorms are expected to break out this afternoon and into the evening.
For more information on floods in your area click here and to check your trains are running click here.
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