Flood alerts have been issued across Sussex as the county is hit with heavy rain and strong winds. 

The Met Office has warned of "heavy and persistent" rain which will hit the county this morning while it is also battered with winds of up to 70mph. 

The national weather service has issued a yellow weather warning for wind which encompasses the whole county and is in place between 8am and 9pm today. 

The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts. 

They are in place for:

  • The rivers Tillingham and Brede in Rye
  • Combe Haven, near Bexhill
  • Cuckmere River
  • River Uck, at Uckfield
  • Upper Ouse near Haywards Heath
  • River Adur near Burgess Hill and Henfield
  • River Lavant in Chichester
  • Aldingbourne and Barnham Rifes in Bognor

It means flooding is possible in these places.

Most of the alerts are in place from Monday, January 1, until Thursday, January 4.

In Bognor, which has already faced flooding this winter, flood water is expected to affect the Tesco car park in Shripney Road, around caravans at the Riverside Caravan Centre and in fields nearby from 1pm today. 

The government's Environment Agency has also warned that water could approach businesses in Durban Road, Bersted.

Another 20 to 30mm of rain is forecast on Thursday afternoon.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "The river will not begin to fall until Tuesday evening in Barnham and Wednesday evening in Bersted.

The Argus:

"River levels will be higher than normal all week.

"Flood protection products are recommended to be installed in Barnham, if you have them."

The Environment Agency is clearing grilles through Barnham, including at the Trading Post, and its pumps are running at Felpham to reduce the risk of flooding.

The Cuckmere and Bull rivers are also high and will not begin to fall until Wednesday.

Drivers are told to avoid routes susceptible to flooding, including Mill Lane and Church Road, Hellingly and North Street, Alfriston.