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Heavy rain brings flooding across the East of England

Essex Fire and Rescue A Mini in deep flood waterEssex Fire and Rescue
Two people had to be rescued from a car in Bicknacre, Essex, after they became stranded

Heavy rain has led to flooding across the East of England with 16 flood warnings currently in place.

Two people had to be rescued from a car in Bicknacre, Essex, after they became stranded, with similar scenes in Hapton, near Long Stratton, Norfolk.

Earlier, a major route into Northampton was shut and residents and businesses in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, faced disruption.

Emergency services have warned motorists to avoid flooded roads.

Louise Priest Car in flood water with two people sitting on its roof with firefighters nearbyLouise Priest
These motorists in Hapton, near Long Stratton, faced a similar predicament

According to the Environment Agency's flood map, four flood warnings have been issued in Norfolk with seven in Suffolk.

Flood warnings are also active along the River Nene in Peterborough and near Halstead and Braintree in Essex.

Kris Holland/BBC Flooding on A4500Kris Holland/BBC
The floodwater went to the boundary of properties on the A4500 near Northampton

National Highways said heavy rainfall had caused the closure of the eastbound A14, between junctions 46 (Beyton) and 49 (Tot Hill) in Suffolk.

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Footage showed images of flooded roads in Rickinghall, Suffolk and in Flordon, near the A140 between Norwich and Ipswich.

Stowmarket Police warned people in Mid Suffolk to avoid all but essential travel.

Reiterating safety advice in a post on X, Essex Fire Service said: "If you come across a flooded road, don't take any chances, turn around and find another route."

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said water levels in the Leighton Buzzard area, near the River Ouzel and Clipstone Brook, were "higher than normal" and asked people living nearby to "avoid areas near the rivers as much as possible".

Water levels are expected to drop next week and full weather forecasts can be found on BBC Weather.

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