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FLOODS have sparked chaos across the UK with shocking aerial snaps showing waterlogged fields and motorways across the country.

Christmas travels plans were shot as torrential rain lashed Frantic Friday with railways and the M23 shut.

Trees and shrubs were dwarfed by floodwater in Wenley, Norfolk
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Trees and shrubs were dwarfed by floodwater in Wenley, NorfolkCredit: Terry Harris
Parts of this road were drowned by floodwaters in Wiltshire
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Parts of this road were drowned by floodwaters in WiltshireCredit: 2019 © Lee Thomas
Whole stretches of land become waterlogged following torrential rain
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Whole stretches of land become waterlogged following torrential rainCredit: Chris Gorman / Big Ladder
The environment agency issued flood warnings
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The environment agency issued flood warningsCredit: Chris Gorman / Big Ladder
Travel chaos was sparked after heavy floods
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Travel chaos was sparked after heavy floodsCredit: Chris Gorman / Big Ladder
Miserable weather struck most of the UK
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Miserable weather struck most of the UKCredit: 2019 © Lee Thomas
Motorways were shut and rail travel suspended in parts
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Motorways were shut and rail travel suspended in partsCredit: Chris Gorman / Big Ladder

The M23 was closed in both directions and landslides blocked Southern train lines sparking "do not travel" warnings on Friday.

Cars trying to get to the airport are sat bumper-to-bumper in long queues as a large chunk of the motorway is expected to be closed for "several hours" this morning.

One driver tweeted: "3 hours so far on the M23 northbound and queuing to get off at Pease Pottage. Keep well away."

More than 31 million Brits are expected to hit the roads this weekend to try to beat bumper-to-bumper Christmas traffic.

Passengers face train chaos in Kent, Surrey and Sussex as delays and cancellations have been warned.

Aerial snaps show large stretches of murky floodwater.

Cars can be seen zooming across waterlogged roads as floodwaters creep up trees, dwarfing them.

Drivers have had to battle with the flood water all over the south of the country
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Drivers have had to battle with the flood water all over the south of the countryCredit: JIM BENNETT
The Environment Agency has warned there will be more flooding
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The Environment Agency has warned there will be more floodingCredit: Splash News
Rail journeys have been severely disrupted by flooding
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Rail journeys have been severely disrupted by floodingCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Cars plow through floodwater in Kent this morning after an overnight deluge
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Cars plow through floodwater in Kent this morning after an overnight delugeCredit: JIM BENNETT
Water is gushing onto the M23 after heaving rains caused flooding
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Water is gushing onto the M23 after heaving rains caused floodingCredit: Highways England/Twitter
Cars on the great Christmas getaway are bumper to bumper on the M23
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Cars on the great Christmas getaway are bumper to bumper on the M23

The Met Office warned of localised flooding and urged people to take care when travelling.

Yesterday Britain was hit with flash floods as a major incident was declared in Cornwall and homes were evacuated.

Torrential rain left large stretches of the main A30 impassable as the Environment Agency urged drivers to avoid swathes of flood water.

Photos show cars struggling through flooded areas as water creeps up around homes and businesses.

Snaps show waterlogged railways, wth torrential rain lashing the tracks and making train travel impossible.

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Southern Rail said:  “The Balcombe area is currently flooded. Due to the consistent rainfall, the water level has reached rail level height, this means trains are not able to to travel over the track.

“Network Rail have dispatched track maintenance teams to the area, to assess and take whatever action may help.

“We strongly advise to not travel at this time.

Work is ongoing to clear the M23 of floodwater this morning
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Work is ongoing to clear the M23 of floodwater this morningCredit: EDDIE MITCHELL 07771605974
Large sections of the main road are closed due to flooding
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Large sections of the main road are closed due to floodingCredit: Highways England/Twitter
Strong winds also pulled down trees and blocked roads - as millions of Brits prepare to travel ahead of Christmas
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Strong winds also pulled down trees and blocked roads - as millions of Brits prepare to travel ahead of Christmas
Flooding has severely disrupted drivers on the M23 after heavy rainfall
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Flooding has severely disrupted drivers on the M23 after heavy rainfall
Heavy rain has caused floods and landslides disrupting the Southern rail route between Brighton and Gatwick
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Heavy rain has caused floods and landslides disrupting the Southern rail route between Brighton and Gatwick
Traffic builds on the M25 in Sussex as flooding causes chaos
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Traffic builds on the M25 in Sussex as flooding causes chaosCredit: Chris Eades
Flooding in the Balcombe area has seen chaos hit train lines - affecting people travelling to Gatwick
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Flooding in the Balcombe area has seen chaos hit train lines - affecting people travelling to Gatwick
Fifty homes had to be evacuated in the seaside town of Hayle in West Cornwall due to flash floods yesterday
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Fifty homes had to be evacuated in the seaside town of Hayle in West Cornwall due to flash floods yesterdayCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
UK weekend weather forecast for your Christmas drive home
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