Flood warnings remain after gales and high tides

Around 200 people were evacuated when the River Arun burst its banks on Tuesday

Flood warnings remain in place for parts of West Sussex after gale-force winds combined with rain and high tides caused chaos on Tuesday.

The Environment Agency said an early morning tide on Wednesday morning was higher than normal due to gale force 5 winds and large waves, with the afternoon tide expected to be "very similar".

It comes as more than 200 people had to be evacuated in the county after the River Arun burst its banks on Tuesday.

The south coast experienced some of the highest tides on record overnight on Monday and into Tuesday, due to gale force 8 winds in the wake of Storm Kathleen.

Parts of the UK have already seen close to the whole month's average rainfall in just the first nine days, with more rain spreading eastward across the country on Wednesday.

As clean-ups are ongoing for businesses and residents in the South East, rain is expected to be heavy and relentless in north-west England and western Scotland.

A clean-up operation is underway at holiday parks hit by Tuesday's flooding

Flood warnings are still in place for East Wittering and the Bracklesham coast, Medmerry, Climping and Littlehampton Rope Walk in West Sussex due to high tides.

One person was taken to hospital after flooding at the Medmerry Holiday Park, between Bracklesham and Selsey, where 180 people were evacuated overnight on Tuesday.

Lee, from South Wales, who was staying at the site, told the BBC that he woke up at 01:30 BST to find his bed was "rocking and floating on water".

He said his van had also been submerged in water, and he had lost everything.

"I’ve lost all my tools and my two work laptops. My clothes were in my caravan too."

Littlehampton Indoor Cricket Centre faces clearing up debris and contamination from floodwater

Opening just three weeks ago along the River Arun, Littlehampton Indoor Cricket Centre owner Robert Boyce told the BBC turnover and attendance had exceeded “our wildest dreams”.

“It’s just been ruined with one night of flooding,” he added, after flying back from a family holiday in France to begin trying to clean up the mess.

The artificial grass was still sodden on Wednesday morning. “And with that comes the contamination that follows when the floodwaters retreat,” said Mr Boyce.

A warning also remains in place for Hampshire in North and East Hayling, after the Environment Agency said the county would record its highest-ever tides in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

New Forest District Council assessed damage at Milford-on-Sea in Hampshire, with a team expected to clear debris from the bay on Thursday.

Beach huts battered by bad weather are now teetering on the edge of a cliff

It said beach huts, which had been battered by Storm Kathleen, would be removed soon, with owners not billed.

A boutique owner and staff worked through the night on the Isle of Wight to get their business reopened.

Maria Guy said flood water rose up to 1.5ft (45.7cm) to 2ft in Mia on Cowes’ High Street.

“We are all just a bit exhausted, a bit shattered, but the High Street is a community. We are all working together and helping each other.”

The Environment Agency said its teams would be out across the region supporting other agencies and to "check the effect of the conditions on our flood defences" on Wednesday.

Further rain expected

The chaos comes after a wetter than average few months, with rain continuing to fall in April.

For parts of eastern Scotland, north-west England, Wales and south-west England we’ve had close to the whole month's rainfall falling in just the first nine days.

Following heavy rain in some parts of the UK, the forecast looks a little drier for the rest of the week, especially in southern areas. The overall outlook is quite changeable into next week with further rain at times.