Flash floods as thunderstorm warnings in place in areas of England and Wales
Flash floods and heavy rains have swamped areas across England and Wales, washing out a month-long dry-spell.
The Met Office issued amber and yellow weather warnings for Wednesday, as torrential rain and thunderstorms hit southern, western and central areas of the UK.
Nearly 100mm of rain fell across Lincolnshire throughout the night, which couldn't be absorbed by the already dry land, leading to surface water flooding.
Footage captures the East Midlands towns of Market Rasen and Worksop being drenched by flash floods, ITV News Calendar reports
Residents of Market Rasen were swamped by flash floods overnight, which saw cars abandoned after being stuck in flood water and residents told to stay at home.
A clean-up operation has now begun after many homes were flooded.
Residents of Worksop in Nottinghamshire have faced a similar situation after being battered by flash floods on Wednesday.
The fresh downpours have finally brought the summer scorcher to an end, after weeks of dry weather and hot temperatures.
The conditions have caused droughts and sparked hosepipe bans, as the prolonged heat put increased pressure on water supplies.
Cornwall, Devon and Somerset were subject to an Amber thunderstorm warning on Wednesday as stormy weather caused flooding and disruption across the south-west.
Footage of cars left submerged underwater in Dorset and mudslides in Somerset have been shared online.
Sewage alerts were issued at Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay in Cornwall after the heavy rain sparked warnings for people to avoid swimming at several contaminated beaches in Devon.
Most of the races at Fowey's Royal Regatta in Cornwall were cancelled on Tuesday because of flash flooding.
What appeared to be a waterspout was captured on camera in Fowey as the whole region suffered from heavy downpours.
Communities in central, southern and eastern parts of England – and southeast Wales – were also warned to brace for flash flooding as well as severe transport disruption during Wednesday's wild weather spell.
Gatwick Airport warned the weather conditions could cause flight delays.
Gatwick Airport tweeted: “Air traffic control restrictions are currently in place across the South of England and parts of Europe due to poor weather conditions.
“This will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations to some flights today.”
Flooding also hit the busy central London Victoria Station, forcing some shops and platforms 7 and 8 to close for a period in the afternoon.
The Met Office said on Wednesday morning: “20-30 mm of rain is possible within an hour, but where areas of thundery rain become slow-moving, some places could see 60 mm in less than three hours.
“A few spots could see more rainfall than this still, whilst hail and lightning may be additional hazards.”
The Environment Agency had issued 29 flood alerts by Tuesday night.
The heaviest downpours recorded on Tuesday were in Spadeadam in Cumbria, with 25.4mm of rain, and in Trengwainton House, Cornwall, with 18.4mm, the Met Office said.Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said the warm, muggy air provides the perfect environment for thundery showers.
The ground is so dry and baked, that it is causing rain to dissipate rather than quickly absorb, he explained, causing a "higher run-off rate for the rainfall than we would normally have."
He added: “It is almost like all the fields have been tarmacked because the water has been running off them as there has been so little of it that has gone into the ground."
Meanwhile, northern regions should be able to enjoy a day that feels fresher, a little cooler and is mostly dry – with some sunny spells, the Met Office said.
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