MOTORISTS have been warned to take care as a predicted deluge arrived in Thurrock after midday.

Earlier today (Thursday, 31 July) the Met Office warned that thunderstorms and heavy showers were expected to develop through the afternoon.

This was the scene at the junction of Orsett Road and Bradleigh Avenue in Grays at 1pm.

The alert said: "These could produce torrential downpours in a few places with as much as 25-35 mm of rain falling within an hour and perhaps 60 mm within 2 hours. Frequent lightning and hail will be additional hazards."



The Met Office added: "Storms will tend to become more confined to the south and east of the warning area later in the afternoon before dying out during the evening."