Dame Eleanor Laing offers sympathy after Loughton flash flood

Severe flooding swept the town in a matter of minutes after biblical rainfall began to lash down at about midday.

Loughton High Road was swiftly swamped in few feet of fast flowing water. The road, along with six others in the area was closed, as footage on social media showed water levels rising above cars' number plates.

Loughton High Road. Photo: Charlotte Heaven

Loughton High Road. Photo: Charlotte Heaven

Dame Eleanor Laing described the flooding as "almost unimaginable" and offered her sympathy to the damaged businesses and homes.

The Epping Forest MP, said: "My heart goes out to everyone whose homes and businesses have been damaged by the exceptional heavy rain and flooding.

"It is almost unimaginable that something like this should happen on top of all the difficulties that so many people have been coping with as a result of the lockdown."

Rectory Lane. Photo: Tony Bentley

Rectory Lane. Photo: Tony Bentley

She added: "I would like to thank everyone at Essex County Council and Epping Forest District Council who are once again working so hard to help our local residents.

"I have asked both councils to investigate whether anything can be done to make sure this doesn't happen again."

Essex Police moved swiftly to close the High Road, Roding Road, Roding Lane, Forest Road, Debden Lane, Willingale Road, and Valley Hill after several drivers got stranded while trying to power through the flooding.

Swanshope. Photo: Emily Russell

Roding Road. Photo: Heidi Fisk

Images shared on social media also showed major flooding in Rectory Lane, Oakwood Hill, and Swanshope.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service issued a notice asking residents only to contact them if it was “an immediate danger to life” after being inundate with calls from distressed residents.

The county is likely to be over the worst of the weather, with dry weather and sunny spells forecast from Thursday onwards.

Oakwood Hill. Photo: Lisa Frost

Oakwood Hill. Photo: Lisa Frost

However, the Met Office’s chief meteorologist Steve Ramsdale, has warned of possible high-speed winds following the recent extreme weather.

He said: “Following the recent hot and thundery weather we are seeing a significant change to very unsettled conditions for August, with an unseasonal spell of strong winds associated with low-pressure centres for the second half of the week”.

“Uncertainty remains high in the intensity of these systems at this point, but we are confident in the change to a spell of much windier weather. Tropical air associated with a decayed tropical cyclone is being drawn towards the UK and the marked contrast between this warm and moist air with normal North Atlantic airmasses can lead to a very vigorous system."

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