Floodwater gushed down residential streets on Friday night as parts of Britain were hit by an intense thunderstorm on the hottest day of the year so far.
The UK recorded its warmest day of 2025 on Friday, with temperatures reaching a sizzling 29C, the Met Office said.
However, the forecasting service warned thunderstorms were ‘pushing into’ the Channel, with an amber weather warning for severe thunderstorms in the east and south-east coming into force at 8pm on Friday.
Dramatic footage taken in Dover last night shows an intense stream of water flowing down a residential road, before a moving car with its hazard lights on comes into view.
The vehicle appears to be moved down the street by the extreme force of the water, which resembles a flooded river or stream.
Elsewhere, around London, a video clip shows huge lightening strikes in the sky over houses, with those inside the properties shouting out in awe.
Yellow and amber thunderstorm warnings are set to be in place for large parts of the country tomorrow as the unstable weather continues into the weekend.
It comes as some parts of the UK were simultaneously plunged into official drought after the driest spring in over a century.
Dramatic footage taken in Dover last night shows an intense stream of water flowing down a residential road, before a moving car with its hazard lights on comes into view
A property in Dover is severely flooded on Friday night after severe thunderstorms and rain
Emergency services are responding to serious flooding on the A256 near Tilmanstone, Dover, where a section of the road has been completely blocked by rising water
Weather warnings for thunderstorms on Saturday are widespread across the United Kingdom
Forecasters warned the coming days would bring wild swings between tropical heat and violent downpours.
The Met Office warned some areas could be hit by up to two inches of rain in just a few hours, with gusty winds reaching up to 50mph, lightning strikes, hail, and the risk of flooding and travel chaos.
The violent storms could unleash hail, lightning, and gusty winds, while heavy cloud cover and high humidity may keep things sweltering and uncomfortable overnight.
Amid all the chaos, the Environment Agency officially declared a drought in Yorkshire this week, where some areas have seen less than 50 percent of average rainfall this spring and just three-quarters of the May average.
It follows a similar move in north-west England last month, and a developing drought zone in parts of the Welsh Water network.
The agency warned that the prolonged dry period has drastically reduced water supplies and could pose a serious risk to wildlife, agriculture, and public health. Hosepipe bans and water restrictions may be introduced if the situation worsens.
Video footage shows floodwater moving down a residential road in Dover on Friday night
Parts of the UK showed aggressive lightening on Friday night amid severe thunderstorms
Residents struggle to stop flooding in their homes and businesses in Devon this week
Thursday saw the first round of storms hitting Northern Ireland, South West England and Wales. Pictured: A car struggles through floodwater in Plymouth, Devon
Met Office yellow weather warnings for Thursday and Friday
A spokesperson said: ‘A drought is a prolonged dry period that reduces available water supplies and can negatively impact the environment, people and wildlife.’
Simon Partridge added: ‘We’ve got a very warm, humid, spell of wet weather to come.’
Under the UKHSA’s alert system, the yellow alert signals a likely increase in healthcare demand, particularly from over-65s and people with heart or lung conditions.
