MORE than a month’s worth of rainfall could hit south Essex in just one day, according to a weather expert.

Tom Defty, from the Essex Weather Centre, is predicting 70 millimetres of rain could fall over Southend and surrounding areas on Wednesday.

He also warned that heavy thunderstorms would batter the area, and be just 50 metres off the ground, creating a possible tornado risk.

Mr Defty spoke as the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning and said there was a risk of localised flooding.

Mr Defty said: “We could get a month and a half’s worth of rain in a very short space of time.

“The storm should move in from the south before settling over Southend. The town has this horrible history of thunderstorms and flooding and unfortunately we are expecting some problems in the area.”

He said the worrying weather was being caused by the remnants of tropical storm Henri and didn’t rule out the possibility of tornadoes forming following the storms.

He said: “The thunderstom clouds will be just 50 metres above people’s heads. This can lead to the formation of funnel clouds and create a tornado. We have already seen for or five tornadoes form in East Anglia in the last week and these do create a risk to property.”

Last month, roads in Shoebury and Southend became submerged by flash flooding when a month's worth of rain fell in just 40 minutes.

Canvey has too had difficulties dealing with heavy rainfall with the island flooding last July.

The warning posted by the Met Office read: "Some localised flooding is possible from fast responding water courses and standing water, this perhaps disrupting travel.

“Lightning associated with the afternoon showers across East Anglia and south east England will be an additional hazard. Strong and gusty winds are also expected, with gales in exposure.”