Residents are being urged to prepare as heavy rain is set to hit Essex with an 18-hour weather warning issued.

The Met Office has issued a yellow heavy rain warning for the whole of Essex which is in place from 3pm today until 9am on Tuesday.

Here is the weather forecast for Southend while the warning is in place:

  • 4pm: Cloudy, 30 per cent chance of rain
  • 5pm: Cloudy, 10 per cent chance of rain
  • 6pm: Cloudy, 40 per cent chance of rain
  • 7pm: 60 per cent chance of light rain
  • 8pm: 80 per cent chance of heavy rain
  • 9pm: 80 per cent chance of heavy rain
  • 10pm: 70 per cent chance of heavy shower
  • 11pm: Partly cloudy, 50 per cent chance of rain
  • 12am: Partly cloudy, 10 per cent chance of rain
  • 1am: Partly cloudy, 20 per cent chance of rain
  • 2am: Partly cloudy, 10 per cent chance of rain
  • 3am: Partly cloudy, 20 per cent chance of rain
  • 4am: Partly cloudy, 20 per cent chance of rain
  • 5am: Sunny intervals, 10 per cent chance of rain
  • 6am: Sunny intervals, 10 per cent chance of rain
  • 7am: Sunny intervals, 20 per cent chance of rain
  • 8am: Cloudy, 30 per cent chance of rain
  • 9am: Cloudy, 50 per cent chance of rain

What to expect while the warning is in place?

The Met Office says there is a "slight chance" of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.

There is also a "small chance" flooding could cause damage to some buildings as well as delays or cancellations to train and bus services.

"Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures," the weather experts added.