River levels across the county have risen due to the persistent rain
12:01, 15 Jan 2026
The Environment Agency has issued six flood alerts across Kent today (January 15) as the county endures persistent heavy rainfall. These alerts come as a yellow warning for rain has taken effect across Kent, having begun at 9am.
Announced earlier in the week, the warning was yesterday expanded to cover much of southern and south-western Kent. Now the warning has been extended once again and blankets the majority of the county, encompassing Folkestone, Dover, Ashford, Canterbury, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks.
Due to remain in place for 13 hours until 10pm tonight, the warning advises that flooding of homes and properties is possible due to rain falling on already saturated ground. Meanwhile, the persistent showers are likely to have an impact on travel, with bus and train journeys seeing potential delays and cancellations.
Spray and flood water on key roads will also make journey times longer. The warning states: “Outbreaks of rain will spread north-eastwards during Thursday, becoming persistent and heavy at times, before clearing to the north-east through the evening and night.
“Accumulations of 20-30mm are expected fairly widely, in some places falling in just a few hours, with the potential for 40-50mm in a few isolated spots, this most likely across parts of southern England. Given the saturated ground, this may lead to some surface water flooding.”
As the county has already endured consistent rainfall over the past 24 hours, river levels across Kent have risen, prompting this latest batch of flood alerts. These are not the first to be issued in January as many parts of the county saw flooding as a result of the recent Storm Goretti.
Alerts are issued at three different levels: alerts; warnings; and severe warnings. Those issued today are alerts, which advise that flooding is “possible” and residents in affected areas are being urged to “prepare”.
Essential preparations include getting together a bag of “vital items” such as medication and insurance documents, and to check flood warnings. You can read the full advice here.
The agency is "closely monitoring the situation" and has advised the public not to attempt to drive, cycle or walk through flood water. Such alerts are in effect along stretches of the River Medway, River Stour, River Eden and the River Beult.
Further information on the forecast for the remainder of the week can be found here.
Find the full details on the flood warnings and alerts in place over Kent today below.
Flood alerts - Thursday, January 15
Rivers Eden and Eden Brook
Flood alert area: Rivers Eden, Eden Brook and Kent Ditch from Blindley Heath to Penshurst including Edenbridge and Hever.
Upper River Medway
Flood alert area: River Medway from Forest Row to Penshurst, including Ashurst.
Middle River Medway
Flood alert area: River Medway from Penshurst to Hampstead Lock at Yalding, including the Leigh Flood Storage area, the Ensfield Road, Tonbridge, Paddock Wood, the Hop Farm, East Peckham, Branbridges and Hale Street.
Lower River Medway
Flood alert area: River Medway from Hampstead Lock at Yalding to Allington Lock, including East Farleigh, Wateringbury, Teston and Teston Park, Tovil and Maidstone including Millennium Park.
River Beult from Pluckley and Bethersden to Stilebridge
Flood alert area: River Beult from Bethersden and Pluckley to Stile Bridge, including Smarden, Headcorn, Staplehurst and Hawkenbury.
Upper River Stour
Flood alert area: Communities on the Great Stour from Charing Heath to the A2070 including Ashford, communities on the East Stour, communities on the Whitewater and Ruckinge Dykes and the Aylesford Stream.
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