Firefighters rescued nine people trapped by flood water and were called to more than 30 incidents after a storm hit Southend.
The fire service dealt with more than 100 calls between 9.30pm and 11.30pm last night after heavy rain hit the area and flooded homes and businesses.
Three people, a woman and two men, had to be rescued froma basement flat close to the Cornucopia Pub, Marine Parade, after they became trapped at 10.40pm
An ambulance was also called for a woman who fell in the flood water and had a suspected fractured shoulder.
Southend Airport roundabout at Harp House Corner was also badly affected.
Flooding near Southend Airport roundabout
Fire crews also rescued six people who were rescued from their cars after becoming trapped by flood water at the roundabout Woodgrange Drive and Thorpe Hall Avenue.
They were called just after 10pm and had rescued everyone by 10.50pm.
Crews also pumped water out of the Sealife Centre in Eastern Esplanade after being called at about 11pm and had made the area safe by 12.30am.
An officer also attended The Pearl Dragon Restaurant, also in Eastern Esplanade, after the roof collapsed under rain water to make sure the area was safe.
Firefighters were also called to flats on Westcliff seafront which had their underground car park flooded.
Paul Stephens, 40, from Westcliff, said: "I drove from Leigh to Shoebury last night and there was a lot going on on the seafront.
"A lot of residents were around a block of flats in The Leas and their cars were parked on the pavement as firefighters pumped out the water,
"There were also some hazardous driving conditions on the seafront - there was a fair bit of flood water.
"The Sea Life Adventure was also affected because the firefighters were pumping water out too."
Adam Warnock, from Leigh, added: "It was all very quick. There was a lot of water around the Kursaal and Eastern Esplanade.
"I think there was also a lot of activity outside the Happidrome arcade on Marine Parade. They were flooded last year. There were fire crews there and lots of people looking worried."
Marie Anders, from Prittlewell, added: "I took the slip road off the A127 at Tesco in Westcliff and hit a huge pool of water. Lots of motorists were swerving to miss it. It was very dangerous."
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