Flood warning as a month's rain set to fall in 72 hours (From The Argus)

Flood warning as a month's rain set to fall in 72 hours

7:30am Wednesday 25th April 2012 in Features By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter

Forecasters have issued a wet weather warning for Sussex after predicting at least 24 hours of non-stop rain.

The next 72 hours could see as much as a month’s rainfall in the county, with today being the hardest hit.

The hosepipe ban is not likely to be lifted because the Environment Agency said groundwater supplies will only be replenished by large and consistent amounts of steady rain for as much as two months.

Gusty winds of up to 60mph are also expected – especially along the coastline.

The Met Office issued the warning from this morning for the next 24 hours, adding that flooding was likely in low-lying regions.

A Met Office forecaster said: “There will be very significant rainfall. We are expecting up to 30mm of rainfall in the morning and 15mm in the afternoon.

“It will be less rainy on Thursday and Friday but it will still be rainy.

“On Saturday it will continue to rain.

“On top of that it will be really, really gusty especially along the Sussex coast.

“There is a chance of flooding, especially surface flooding. Drivers will need to be really careful.

“Winds are likely to hit 60mph.

“Temperatures will creep into double figures but it will not feel like that with the wind and rain.”

Have you got a wet weather snap?

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