Confluence Place, Lewisham
The Quaggy (right) meets the Ravensbourne in Lewisham town centre

Flood warnings have been issued for areas along the Ravensbourne and Quaggy with thunderstorms due to hit London tonight and throughout tomorrow.

Much of Lewisham and Catford town centres, Lee Green and the Kidbrooke Village development are covered by the alert issued by the Environment Agency this morning.

Heavy rain has been sweeping south and east across the country with thunderstorms also due to arrive, breaking one of the longest heatwaves in living memory.

“While uncertainty remains around exact timings and which areas will experience the heaviest rain there is a possibility that rivers could respond quickly and overtop their banks,” the agency warns.

“Flooding to low lying land, roads and riverside gardens is possible. Surface water flooding may also affect low lying areas.”

The alert covers areas along Deptford Creek and the Ravensbourne through Deptford, west Greenwich, Lewisham, Ladywell, Catford and Bellingham, and south to the river’s source at Keston.

Areas along the Quaggy – through Lewisham, Lee, Kidbrooke, Sutcliffe Park, Eltham, Grove Park and Chinbrook Meadows – have also been put on alert, through to the source of the river at Locksbottom.

Also included are the Kyd Brook, running through the Cator and Brooklands estates to Kidbrooke Park Road, and the River Pool through Sydenham.

Sutcliffe Park
Sutcliffe Park is covered by the flood alert

A separate alert covers the River Cray, River Shuttle and their tributaries in the Bexley area.

Rail passengers in SE London are already feeling the effects after a suspected lightning strike near Hither Green caused the power to fail, leading to passengers being stranded on trains.

The Ravensbourne and Quaggy meet at Lewisham town centre, an area prone to flooding. The Quaggy burst its banks in Eltham at Christmas 2013, forcing some residents to leave their homes.

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