TWO new flood warnings have been issued in the past two hours affecting rivers and streams in Surrey after the overnight torrential rain.See our gallery of flood images here
The second highest warning has been issued by the Environment Agency for the River Mole at Sidlow, Leigh and Betchworth. The "Flood Warning" affects the stretch of the river through Sidlow, Leigh, Flanchford and Betchworth and also affects the Kinnersley Manor area near Sidlow and Duxhurst.
This warning was issued just before 10am.
Also placed on this level alert is the Gatwick Stream, affecting south-west Horley, Gatwick Airport, and the West Sussex/Surrey border.
Reports have been coming in of cars being marooned in Copthorne and long queues of traffic on the A217 between Hookwood and Sidlow.
Our staff photographer Keith Walter said in the past hour: "The A217 was flooded at Kinnersley Manor (not Sidlow Bridge) and Mill Lane, Horley, is worse than I've ever seen it. Even four-wheel drive cars were turning around. Some brave souls went through, though.
He added: "The Kinnersley Manor flood caused tailbacks right the way back to the Black Horse, Hookwood,even though the road wasn't that bad."
The River Mole at Charlwood and Hookwood has been on the Flood Warning level of alert since 7.30am, as has the River Eden at Haxted, Crowhurst and Blindley Heath.
Weatherman Ian Currie reported that 26mms of rain - one inch - fell in the 24 hours up to 9am at his weather station at Rickman Hill, Coulsdon.
He said the winter months of December and January together had been the wettest for more than a century.
"I have measured more than 350mms. This is four times or more higher than the average figure for the time of year and is already equal to 60 per cent of London's annual rainfall in less than five weeks.
"This is phenomenal and we are now in unchartered waters as far as rainfall is concerned."
With more rain expected, Mr Currie said that it is likely to be his wettest January in the 35 years he has kept records at Coulsdon. December's outstanding rainfall was the highest of any December he has recorded since setting up the station in 1979.Current roads affected by flooding
A217 Sidlow Bridge
A23 Salfords
Antlands Lane, Smallfield
Church Road, Burstow
