Kentish Express Ashford & District
‘Biblical’ storms result in wettest June in 19 years
Forecasters warn there is little prospect of sunny spells soon
Forecasters have revealed we’ve just suffered the wettest June in 19 years.
Heavy rain and winds battered the county, causing flash flooding and disruption to trains, ferries and road traffic.
More than 90mm of rain fell across Kent between the start of the month and Monday of last week – double what forecasters predict for this time of year.
The Met Office also revealed it’s the most rainfall we’ve seen in June since 1997.
On Saturday, June 25 dozens of homeowners had to be rescued after water flooded properties in Borough Green and Ightham.
The National Trust also had to close the 14th century house at Ightham Mote after flash flooding caused damage to the ground floor.
Meanwhile, throughout the month trains were cancelled because of the rain, several roads were flooded across the county, and Kent was hit by repeated flood warnings.
A display by the Red Arrows in Folkestone on June 17 had to be cancelled due to the poor conditions.
Last week, more than 20 homes in aptly named Watery Lane in Kemsing had to be evacuated due to “significant” flooding.
At the time, resident Nick Gallwey said he watched a woman attempt to drive through the rising water, causing her engine to become flooded.
He said: “We saw torrential rain and hail. It was almost biblical. I have never seen that much water in the street.
“The hail formed ice floes. It was spectacular to see them in June.”
At its height, water levels rose up to around 2.5 metres (7 feet) after a brook burst its banks in Ightham.
Even a station underpass wasn’t immune to the ravages of the rain. Passengers had to wade through water at Herne Bay.
The situation was so bad on the Southeastern train network that the rail company offered double the compensation under its Delay Repay scheme after trains were cancelled on June 23.
Marco Petagna, a Met Office forecaster, said: “After a dry start to June, the rest of the month was unsettled.”
The agency added there were no signs of pro-longed spells of sunshine in their immediate forecasts.
Forecasters added that Essex and Surrey were expected to have the wettest June since records began.