UK Weather: Freak Lightning & Hail Plunge Commuters Into 'Zombie Apocalypse' (PICTURES)

Freak Lightning & Hail Plunge Commuters Into 'Zombie Apocalypse' (PICTURES)

As is usually the case, Britain has paid for its blast of summery weather with lashings of hail, lightning strikes and flooding.

Storms hit the Hove, Brighton and Worthing areas of Sussex during Monday morning rush hour.

A lightning strike caused electrical supply problems for rail passengers while some commuters were forced to struggle through a hail storm in an experience described by one as a “zombie apocalypse”.

Lighting strikes at Hove, Sussex

The bolt hit an electricity sub-station, causing power to the coastal rail route to be cut, although the main line to London was running normally, according to a Network Rail spokeswoman.

Network Rail said on its website: "Electrical supply problems caused by a lightning strike, near Hove, are causing delays of up to 30 minutes to trains between Worthing and Hove/Brighton."

Commuters posted on Twitter descriptions of heavy hail and localised flooding caused by the storms. Local residents said the storm started at 5.30am, leading to torrential rain.

Strong hail around Brighton and Hove

Laurence Hill wrote: "Used to be roads. Now rivers of hail. Never seen anything like it."

Brighton and Hove Police posted: "Localised flooding in Hove and Portslade, some roads not passable. Please do not enter flood water on foot or in cars."

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Flooding South England

Brighton station tweeted: "At a stand west coastway #Worthing #Brighton Both ways due to zombie apocalypse #Brighton #Hove #Fishersgate #Portslade #Lancing #Shoreham"

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Since the early hours of Monday 28th July, Brighton crews have been dealing with a large number of weather-related emergency calls.

"Firefighters have responded to a range of incidents, including flooding, lightning strikes and false alarms caused by the weather."

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning on Monday for the south-east of England as almost half a month's worth of rain fell in an hour in some places.

Forecasters warned that a "deeply unstable airmass" had brought the risk of heavy thundery showers across East Anglia, the South East and London throughout the day.

London Fire Brigade rescued two women from a car which got stuck in flood water near South Ruislip station, north-west London.

The fire service said on Twitter that 50 houses were also affected by flood water in the area.

Firefighters rescued five people from three neighbouring houses which were flooded in Thaxted, Essex.

One family remained on the first floor of their home while crews pumped water from the property after flood water affected the electrics, a Essex Fire and Rescue spokesman said.

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