ESSEX Fire and Rescue have confirmed they have received more than 80 calls from members of the public affected by flooding in Braintree and Witham today (September 20).
Firefighters have also responded more than 20 incidents as a result of the severe weather which left parts of Witham and Braintree under water - including a hotel roof collapse, and a hospital building struck by lightning.
The worst affected areas in Witham were Hawthorne Rise, Powers Hall End, and Lime Close, and Perryfields in Braintree, with some residents needing rescuing from flooded properties.
Firefighters also had to rescue a motorist trapped in flood water under the A12 flyover in Rivenhall End.
At just before 8am flood water caused the partial collapse of the roof at the Rivenhall Hotel in Witham, leading to problems with the electrics.
A spokesperson from Essex Fire and Rescue said of the incident: "On arrival the incident commander reported that a blocked drain in the roof had caused water to pool and part if the roof had collapsed. Firefighters isolated the electrics and pumped water from the drain."
And in Braintree a building formerly used by St Michael's Hospital was struck by lightning leading to a fire in its roof.
