Isle of Wight weather flash flooding expressed on statistical map

Amid yellow weather warnings for rain to hit the Isle of Wight over the weekend, it was Downend, between Arreton and Newport, which saw the worst of this morning's thunderstorm flash flooding today (Sunday, September 8).

Downend suffered 46.80mm of rainfall, which led to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service being called out to rescue a man stranded in his vehicle, on a flooded Briddlesford Road.

Read more: Firefighters called out to rescue driver stranded in floodwater

Also, Lynbottom Tip, also on Briddlesford Road, Downend, was forced to shut due to flooding.

Rachel Nash's picture shows just how treacherous it became for motorists in the area. (Image: Rachel Nash)  

Lynbottom Tip, Downend, was badly flooded this morning. (Image: Isle of Wight Council)

Close by, Staplers Road in Newport, had 40.90mm of rain dumped on it.

There were reports of some flooding in the Coppins Bridge roundabout area, at the bottom of Staplers Road. 

Read more: Heavy rain with flooding on Isle of Wight updates

Other areas worst hit by heavy rainfall were Binfield (31.20mm), near Island Harbour, Newport; Nodehill, Newport (27.90mm) and Carisbrooke (26.10mm).

"This morning saw a fair few showers developing across the Island, with one area in particular becoming very heavy indeed," said Jamie Russell, of the Isle of Wight Met Service.

Jamie was the first to issue a yellow weather warning for heavy rain, before the national Met Office, which followed suit several hours later. 

Sandbags were used by some stores in Newport town centre to keep the worst of the deluge at bay. (Image: Taylor Knight)

Flooding in Newport. (Image: Katie Kirby)

"It produced a few cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, and also a fair amount of flooding over a very small area.

"Newport saw the worst effects of the downpour, and also places just a mile or two to the east and north-east, with multiple reports of flood damage and vehicles breaking down on flooded roads."

Read more: Popular Isle of Wight pony killed by freak lightning bolt

In Newport town centre, a torrent of water was seen flowing down Upper St James's Street, and into the High Street, which led to the flooding (and subsequent closing) of numerous shops and department stores. 

"But the highest rainfall totals were just north of Downend, although we believe a small area between Briddlesford and Downend saw around 50mm, or slightly higher, due to some extremely strong radar returns from the area.

"These rainfall totals don't sound like huge amounts, compared with what we saw falling just a few days ago.

"But you must remember, this is over a space of 30-45 minutes, whereas the 40mm-odd that has fallen over recent days, happened over the course of a day or two, meaning the water had time to drain away.

"If we see anything over 10mm falling in the space of half an hour, it would likely lead to flash (or sudden) flooding, so the 30-40mm of rain that fell around the Newport area, inevitably caused flash flooding, as all that water seeks out the lowest point, all rushing down the drains and into the rivers and streams."

There is a low percentage chance of rain early this evening (Sunday).