SEVERE flooding has hit parts of Southend after hours of heavy rain. 

Hartington Road, Southend, outside the Benson's Guest House is completely flooded. 

There are also reports of flooding on the seafront, outside the Happidrome Arcade.

The roundabout near Southend Airport is severely flooded, as is Sutton Road, as well as Lower Road and Watery Lane in Rochford and Claremont Road in Westcliff.

Rochford Council has also been notified of overflowing storm water in Grove Road, Rochford, and Trinity Road, the junction with Warwick Road, Rayleigh.

Rochford Council say they have reported the flooding to Anglian Water and any issues from the flooding will be raised at the next meeting of the Flood Forum.

Paul Thompson, the chairman of Southend Seafront Traders Association thinks not enough is being done. He said: “This is the fifth time the seafront has flooded since city beach was built. The council are not doing enough, there is no contingency plan for when this happens.

“The roads are supposed to be closed but they aren’t. The cars are washing water into businesses.”

Clean-up at the Happidrome Arcade

Dona Shand, 36, who lives in Snakes Lane, Southend has been effected by the flooding. She said: “It’s heart breaking to see your garden destroyed by the rain and wind. The flooding has been quite bad this time.

“There have been workmen outside my house, trying to protect our houses because there is a brook which has burst its bank. Hats off to them because they have been working really hard. Thankfully it hasn’t come into the back of my house so far, but a few years ago it was quite severe.  

“I have taken my two children to the gym to try and forget about the flooding for a few hours.”

Flooding on the roundabout near Southend Airport

On Canvey there is reported flooding in Eastern Esplanade at the corner with Furtherwick Road, Zider Pass and May Avenue.

There are also a number of fallen trees across the county due to the rain and surface spray on many roads.

Flooding on Canvey

Business owners have been affected by the floods. Sue Thomas, 54, owner of Sue’s Café, Furtherwick Road, Canvey said she has watched the water get deeper this morning.

She added: “This should be a busy day for us here at the café but it will be dead for us.

"I will be looking at cancelling staff for today as I will not be needing them to work today.

"The water outside my café is over the curbs and it is covering the footpaths and we cannot see the edges of the footpaths anymore because of the water.

"I think the flooding has got worse on this part of the island over the last five years. It seems that the infrastructure just cannot cope with the amount of water that has fallen over night.”

Canvey councillors said they have spoken to residents and have had complaints from residents whose homes have been flooded because of the heavy rainfall. 

Residents in Merlin Court, Canvey were left with sewage in and around their homes.

A severe weather warning is in force due to the risk of storms and flooding.