Residents have described the scene as ‘absolute madness’ and there are complaints of a raw sewage smell in Collier Row.

The River Rom has burst its banks at Collier Row, causing misery and gridlock to residents.

Natalie Cumbers, owner of Monkey Mayhem, Collier Row Road, Collier Row, described the scene as absolute madness.

She said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this happen in this area before. It took me 45 minutes to get to work this morning when it usually takes me five.

“My sister’s house in Harold Hill is flooded as well and it’s all in the porch way.

“The water rose to about two feet this morning in her back garden. It’s crazy.”

Chris Cockram, 26, of Walmer Close, Collier Row, said Collier Row Lane smelt strongly.

He said: “On Collier Row Lane, there’s quite a strong smell and I think it must be raw sewage.

“It smells like a mixture of poo and stagnant water.

“It took me an hour and a half to drive my girlfriend to Newbury Park station after her bus was cancelled.

“A couple of houses next to the river have been flooded.

“It’s mostly cars that have been written of, I think there’s going to be a lot of insurance claims made!”

Ferry Lane, Rainham, Collier Row Road, Collier Row, Upper Rainham Road between Wood Lane and Hornchurch Road and Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch are closed.

Pettits Lane North, Romford between Ayr Road and Heather Gardens has water coming through the surface of the road and imotorists are advised to avoid it.

Trains and Underground services have been hit by severe delays and there is major congestion on many roads including B174 at Lodge Lane Collier Row, the A12 at Harold Wood, the A127 at Romford, the A127 at Harold Wood and the A13 at Rainham.

The A13 in Barking has also been closed.

The River Ingrebourne is likely to peak mid-morning with Rainham at risk of further flooding.

Residents have been tweeting pictures of localised flooding and emergency services has received a large number of calls.

Due to severe flooding refuse collections across Havering will be delayed today.

An London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “Crews are being mobilised to incidents as quickly as possible but the Brigade is appealing to people to only call 999 in an emergency – where there is a risk to life or property.

“Between around 1.30am and 3am our control officers took over three hundred calls – around as many as they would receive in an average day.

“Most of the 999 calls received have been to weather related incidents, with firefighters attending reports of flooded commercial and domestic properties, flooded roads and vehicles that have been trapped by flood water.

“Crews have also attended a number of calls to reports of property being struck by lightning.”

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning valid until 6am tomorrow. Further scattered thunderstorms are forecast for the South East this afternoon and evening.

Havering Council’s emergency teams are out providing assistance to residents where flooding may risk properties. The floodline can be contacted on 0345 988 11 88

Tweet your pictures to emma.lake@archant.co.uk