Intense storms in south-east England

"Intense storms" have reportedly caused flooding across parts of southern and eastern England.

A number of roads and homes were flooded across Essex, where police urged drivers to avoid unnecessary journeys and drive with caution.

Southend University Hospital's accident and emergency department closed due to flooding but has now reopened.

The Environment Agency has issued two flood warnings and more than 20 flood alerts.

A Met Office yellow warning for rain is due to stay in place until 23:55 BST on Sunday.

Forecaster Matt Taylor said BBC Weather had received reports of "intense storms" and flooding in east London, Essex and Cambridgeshire stretching up towards Lincolnshire.

'Stuck in cars'

Essex Police tweeted: "Some properties in #Canvey flooded. Drive very slowly in residential areas to avoid making the problem worse."

In a statement, the force added: "Heavy rainfall in Southend, Rayleigh and Castle Point districts and Wickford and the village of Ramsden Heath has left some roads impassable with flood water."

Essex Fire and Rescue Service said it had been "quite stretched".

Strike action by fire fighters between 17:00 and 19:00 BST meant there had been reduced cover but the service had been "attending all incidents", with 30 appliances on duty.

A spokeswoman said officers had been dealing with a range of calls from "lightning striking to people stuck in cars in floods".

Train lines between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street have been blocked after lightning damaged the signalling system around Shenfield.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service was called to numerous flooding incidents in locations including Norwich and Rackheath.

Have you been affected by storms and flooding? Send your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk putting the word 'weather' in the subject heading.

Or leave a comment using the form below.

Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.

Read the terms and conditions

(Required) Name (Required) Your E-mail address (Required) Town & Country (Required) Your telephone number

(Required) Comments

If you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist please leave a telephone number that we can contact you on. In some cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name as you provide it and location, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions.

Terms and conditions

Intense storms in south-east England