FLOODING and disruption is expected as heavy showers and thunderstorms hit Sussex.

An amber weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for the entire county, as well as most of South East England and parts of London and Essex.

The weather service has warned that flooding of homes and businesses is “likely”, with a possible danger to life from fast-flowing and deep floodwater.

The Met Office has also warned of the prospect of delays and cancellations to train and bus services, as well as power cuts.

As much as 100mm is expected in some places within a few hours, with lightning and hail expected in some areas.

It comes almost a week after a drought was declared in Sussex due to a lack of rainfall.

Dan Suri from the Met Office said that, while not all places will be affected, “where thunderstorms occur, there is the potential for very large rainfall totals”.

He said: “When that heavy rain is falling on extremely dry ground, the risk of flash flooding is much more pronounced.

“With no meaningful rainfall in some southern locations since June, soils in these areas have become baked by the sun turning them into hard, almost impenetrable surfaces.

“Any rainfall in these areas won’t be able to soak away and instead it will wash off soils and other hard surfaces, creating flash flooding in some areas.”

A road in Haywards Heath flooded yesterday morning after blocked drains were unable to cope with a torrential downpour.

Weather conditions are expected to settle later this week, with heavy rain and thunderstorms becoming less likely.

Deputy chief of the Met Office Daniel Rudman said: “Although the warnings are at a broad scale, forecasters expect individual thunderstorms to be quite isolated, and many within the warning in not encountering storm or heavy rain.”

The amber warning comes into effect from 11am, ending at 10pm this evening.