Flood alerts as Storm Benjamin hits South East.

A swimming pool in Sheerness has been closed due to a tree falling on the structure as Storm Benjamin wreaks havoc across the South East.

Sheppey Leisure Centre advised customers to “avoid the end of Royal Road and the path running alongside the pool while the situation was managed”.

They stated on social media that a structural study would be conducted on Friday and that “until the building is deemed safe, the pool and health studio will remain closed”.

They also stated that swim lesson customers had been notified, but the gym and lessons remained “unaffected”.

Several advisories were in effect throughout Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, and West Sussex, including the coast from Sandgate to Dungeness and Farlight, the Hastings area, and the Climping beachfront.

Christian Alan

 

It further stated that services between Newhaven and Dieppe were cancelled.

Fallen trees were also reported to be causing problems in portions of the region.

Rosie Blunt/BBC

Southeastern said just after 10:00 that a tree had fallen on the railway line between Ashford and Charing, but that it had already been cleaned. Meanwhile, West Sussex Highways reported that a downed tree had closed Hammerpond Road in Mannings Heath, near Horsham.

It comes after the Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for wind and rain in portions of the UK, which were later dropped when the storm passed to the east.

According to the Met Office, there is a small probability of power outages, property damage, delayed or cancelled public transport, poor road conditions, potential road closures and flooding.

It also stated that gusts of 40-45mph were possible in portions of Kent, East Sussex, and West Sussex early Thursday morning, with coastal areas seeing gusts of up to 55mph.

The Environment Agency advised residents on X to plan their trips and check for flooding. “Never drive through flood waters. “It only takes 30 cm of water to float your car,” it stated.

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