AN AMBER weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the Met Office.

The second highest warning for extreme weather is set to last from 4pm to 9pm today and covers a large part of Sussex.

Affected areas include Worthing, Brighton, Seaford and Eastbourne. 

Commuters in Sussex are being urged to be on the look out for cancellations to trains and bus services and flooding could lead to road closures.

What to expect

  • Spray and sudden flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
  • Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely
  • Power cuts likely to occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost
  • Flooding of homes and businesses is likely and could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds

Staying safe in thunder and lightning

The Met Office has issued the following advice for keeping safe in the event of thunderstorms. 

  • Unplug all non-essential appliances, including the television, as lightning can cause power surges.
  • Seek shelter if possible. When you hear thunder you are already within range of where the next ground flash may occur, lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from the centre of a storm.
  • Avoid using the phone - telephone lines can conduct electricity
  • Avoid using taps and sinks - metal pipes can conduct electricity
  • If outside avoid water and find a low-lying open place that is a safe distance from trees, poles or metal objects
  • Avoid activities such as golf, rod fishing or boating on a lake
  • Be aware of metal objects that can conduct or attract lightning, including golf clubs, golf buggies, fishing rods, umbrellas, motorbikes, bicycles, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs, wire fencing and rails. If you are in a tent, try to stay away from the metal poles
  • If you find yourself in an exposed location it may be advisable to squat close to the ground, with hands on knees and with head tucked between them. Try to touch as little of the ground with your body as possible, do not lie down on the ground
  • If you feel your hair stand on end, drop to the above position immediately

This comes after an earlier weather warning for heavy showers. 

Eleven hours of rain is forecast to drench the region from 3pm prompting concerns of localised flooding.