FLASH flooding, thunderstorms and the occasional sunshine, summer time couldn t be more unpredictable in Dunmow. On Thursday heavy rain caused drains to explode open, flooding parts of Chelmsford Road, Lower Mill Field and Flitch Lane. At around 6.30pm th

FLASH flooding, thunderstorms and the occasional sunshine, summer time couldn't be more unpredictable in Dunmow.

On Thursday heavy rain caused drains to explode open, flooding parts of Chelmsford Road, Lower Mill Field and Flitch Lane.

At around 6.30pm the flooding was knee deep in places and concerned home owners came out to monitor the situation.

Douglas Clayden, from Lower Mill Field, said: "It was an incredible amount of water, and it must have been moving with some force to burst through the drains, I couldn't believe that so much rain had fallen in such a short space of time."

Mr Clayden managed to capture some of the flooding on camera, and sent some of the shots into the Broadcast news-desk.

Home owners in Normansfield are still concerned about potential flooding because parts of their homes were destroyed by flood waters one month ago, after a huge tree stump blocked up an underground drain. One resident said: "We were away on holiday last time and came back to find our home in tatters. Although the water hasn't got to the same level this time, we are very concerned that it might be sewage water leaking onto our streets."

The environmental agency removed the tree stump after residents and the town clerk Owen Wilson reported the incident, and on Tuesday afternoon the Environment Agency encouraged any complaints from residents. A spokesman said: "We would urge anybody who thinks that water has been contaminated in any way to call our emergency hotline on 0800 80 70 60, and we will immediately investigate, if any problems are found we can force the water companies involved to take action."

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