Met Office issues depressing 36-hour rain warning for Essex with fears homes 'could be flooded'

Essex residents have been told to brace themselves for potential flooding and a possible danger to life after a lengthy weather warning was issued for the county. The Met Office has delivered a yellow weather warning for the county that will run until noon on Thursday (May 23).

Experts at the Met Office say that some communities could be cut off by flooded roads. Spray and flooding can lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

There is also a risk that some homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to buildings. Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible and could cause a danger to life, the Met Office said.

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The area of rain is likely to become heavy and persistent over parts of northern England and North Wales, particularly north facing hills, before easing during Thursday morning. Many places will see 30-40 mm of rain, while a few areas may receive 60-80 mm.

The Met Office said Essex was covered by the rain warning. Their map shows the areas of Great Dunmow, Saffron Walden and Harlow as being affected. Other areas south of North Essex are not included in the weather warning.

Clare Nasir, a meteorologist for the Met Office, said the region could witness "persistent and at times heavy rain". They added: "To the south we will see some showery bursts. They could turn heavy with the risk of thunder."

"It's a wet evening to come again; there could be problems on the road during rush hour. High rainfall totals can lead to surface water issues and the rivers will be swollen and some localised flooding as this rain will be persistent."

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