THE Met Office has updated its warning as heavy rain and torrential downpours across north Essex are expected today.

A yellow weather warning has been issued from 10am today until midnight.

A spokesman said: "Heavy rain may cause travel disruption and flooding in some places."

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Here is an hour by hour forecast for north Essex:

11am - Cloudy with a 10 per cent chance of rain 

12pm - Cloudy with a 20 per cent chance of rain 

1pm - Light rain is expected with the chance of precipitation at 40 per cent

2pm - Light rain is expected with the chance of precipitation at 50 per cent

3pm - Light rain is expected with the chance of precipitation at 50 per cent

4pm - Light rain is expected with the chance of precipitation at 50 per cent

5pm - Light rain is expected with the chance of precipitation at 50 per cent

6pm - Light rain is expected with the chance of precipitation at 50 per cent

7pm - Light rain is expected with the chance of precipitation at 50 per cent

8pm - Light rain is expected with the chance of precipitation at 50 per cent

9pm - Light shower expected with the chance of precipitation at 30 per cent 

10pm - Light rain is expected with the chance of precipitation at 40 per cent

11pm - Cloudy with a 10 per cent chance of rain 

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The Met Office has issued a checklist outlining what to expect during the bad weather:

  • There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some building
  • There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life
  • Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services
  • Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
  • There is a small chance that some communities will become cut off by flooded roads
  • There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses