Clean-up operation begins as town 'flooded completely' by heavy rain

Norfolk Fire and Rescue crews attended no fewer than 20 callouts as the town was battered by the rain.

The Met Office put out a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms which were likely to cause sudden flooding – a warning which remains in place for Wednesday.

Elm Road, St John's Way and Minstergate were among the worst affected areas of the town, with several Fire Service callouts to each street.

Flooding in Bridge Street, Thetford, on Tuesday evening, July 28. (Image: Lisa Horler)

Darcy Stuart said she was using towels and sand bags while "trying to keep most of the water out" of her home.

"It eventually went down after an hour or so," she said.

Breckland Council worker Lisa Horler said she had a "big shock" when she was walking home from work, as she turned a corner on to Bridge Street to find her path completely blocked off by flood water.

She said: "I watched the rain come down while at work, but to finish work and walk around the corner... the whole road was flooded from the bank right up to the bridge."

The A134 – the main road between Thetford and Bury St Edmunds – was also completely covered in flood water.

Flooding on the A134 at Barnham Cross Common, south of Thetford. (Image: Vi Olczak)

From 5pm fire services were called to a spate of flooding incidents on local roads and pathways across the town.

At around 6,20pm crews were called to two properties on Minstergate draining water from two flooded properties with a major pump.

One officer also attended reports of a dangerous structure on Gloucester Way.

Breckland councillor Terry Jermy took to Twitter to show the flood water had made its way into the office of local town magazine About Thetford.

Flood water in the About Thetford magazine office at the Charles Burrell Centre on Tuesday evening. (Image: Terry Jermy)

"Wasn't expecting the About Thetford magazine office to flood tonight," he said.

"Sadly we, along with a number of other ground floor tenants have been flooded at the Charles Burrell Centre."

Centre chief executive Nik Chapman said: "The Charles Burrell Centre suffered flooding from the downpour yesterday evening.

"It was sheer intensity and volume of water in a short space of time – the drains could not cope and water level rose by eight inches in some places to flood into the building.

Flood water in the About Thetford magazine office at the Charles Burrell Centre on Tuesday evening. (Image: Terry Jermy)

"Luckily no mix of sewage but extensive damage to carpets and flooring in public spaces and individual businesses."

A fire service control room spokesman said there are currently no appliances on the scene in the town this morning, confirming that the emergency response to the flooding is over.