TWO ferocious thunderstorms struck Wokingham borough in just 12 hours, bringing with it flooding and hailstones the size of golfballs.
The first took place just before 6pm on Thursday night, bringing the Indian summer to an abrupt end and causing chaos during rush hour.
Trees fell down in London Road and Reading Road in Wokingham. It is thought that the horse chestnut tree close to St Crispin’s School was struck by lightning.
There was also localised flooding with surface water on major roads including the A329M and the bridge under the railway at Emmbrook once again flooded.
There were lanes closed on the M4 between Junction 10 and Junction 8 due to an accident.
Many residents also reported giant hailstones following at the start of the storm.
Railway problems
A second storm hit the region in the early hours, causing flash flooding across the Thames Valley and disruption for commuters. Didcot Railway Station’s ticket halls were completely flooded as waters rose and there was also problems on Great Western Trains around Newbury.
A signalling problem in the Taplow Area (between Reading and London Paddington) is also causing delays to services.
Some train services between Ascot and Guildford have been cancelled and delayed after lightning damaged signals.
South West Trains said: “A lightning strike has caused some damage to certain elements of our signalling equipment on the line which runs between Ascot and Guildford via Aldershot. As a result of this, some disruption is expected, possibly all day.
“Great Western Railway are accepting our tickets between Wokingham and Guildford via Blackwater.
“You may use your ticket on Stagecoach bus routes 1 and 2 between Aldershot and Camberley.”
Local flooding
There are reports that water levels are rising on the River Loddon, particularly around Longbridge Mill. The roads around Mill Lane could flood as water flows down the Loddon in the next few days.
