Flooding and storm warnings across England

Heavy rain is continuing to hit parts of England, as flood alerts remain in place and forecasters warn that more wet weather is on the way.

The <link> <caption>Environment Agency has issued flood alerts</caption> <url href="http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/31618.aspx" platform="highweb"/> </link> in 50 areas - 42 of which are in south-east England.

Six flood warnings are in place; five for the South East, including parts of the River Mole on the Surrey/Sussex border, and one in the Anglia region.

The Met Office is warning of heavy rain in London and south and east England.

BBC Weather said rain would affect many southern, central and south-eastern parts of England overnight and become persistent and very heavy in places, particularly in the South East.

It said further outbreaks of rain would affect parts of Scotland.

There are no severe flood warnings - the highest alert - which means there is an immediate danger to life.

Four people were rescued from their cars in two separate flood-related incidents in one Hampshire village.

At 14:24 BST, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Portchester Lane in Southwick where a car had become partially submerged. Two people were taken to safety.

Then, at 15:45 BST, crews returned to nearby Boarhunt Road where they assisted two more people to safety from their car.

A man also had to be rescued by firefighters after his car became stuck in a flood in Waterlooville, Hampshire.

Mick Crennell, from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This incident highlights the dangers of attempting to drive through deep water and it gives an indication of how quickly the situation can change and become life-threatening."

The latest warnings follow a weekend of heavy rain and flooding, mainly focused on Wales.

• The M1 was closed between junctions 48 and 45 southbound and between junctions 43 and 46 northbound after flooding left debris on the carriageways

• The A33 at Chineham near Basingstoke, Hampshire, could be closed for up to 24 hours

• People in the Bognor Regis and Chichester areas of <itemMeta>news/uk-england-sussex-18392059</itemMeta> after roads became impassable due to flooding

• Incidents were reported in the village of <itemMeta>news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-18391545</itemMeta> while there was flooding in 15 homes in the Badger Hill district of York

• Water was pumped from 12 flooded homes in Athersley North in <itemMeta>news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-18393130</itemMeta>

• Services on South West Trains have been disrupted between Shepperton and London Waterloo due to flooding at Fulwell, in south-west London

• Storm water <link> <caption>blocked the road and flooded gardens</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18401054" platform="highweb"/> </link> of about 20 homes in the Upper Lisburn Road area of south Belfast

• The A27 in West Sussex is closed in both directions, leading to 12-mile traffic tailbacks in the area. Cars are also stranded on the A259 at Felpham

In West Sussex, about 40 properties as well as the basement of Worthing Hospital were flooded. Most of the water had been pumped out of the basement by Monday morning but emergencies had to be diverted to Brighton and Chichester for several hours.

The weather is affecting roads in various parts of the country and the <link> <caption>BBC's Travel Unit</caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews" platform="highweb"/> </link> has full details of delays and incidents on its website.

Sasher Thomas was one of nine tenants forced to move out of a block of flats in South Norwood, south London, because of the flooding.

She told the BBC: "My neighbour called the fire brigade last night but there was nothing they could do apart from turn the electric off.

"I've had no sleep at all overnight because I've had nowhere to go."

On Saturday about 1,000 people were moved to safety from flooding in mid Wales, with an estimated 150 rescued.

The Met Office said the UK was still below its average rainfall for the time of year.

Between January and May, 392.5mm of rain fell across the country, compared to an average of 439mm.