Watford has been hit by flooding this week as roads and businesses have been forced to close amid days of weather warnings.

After a weekend of heavy rain, a yellow Met Office rain warning was in place on Monday morning (September 23), before it was upgraded to an amber warning for parts of the town in the early afternoon.

The morning commute was thrown into chaos as roads filled with water. Two stretches of the A41, Elton Way near the Costco and at the A405 Leavesden underpass, as well as the A404 between Chorleywood and Rickmansworth were closed for safety reasons.

Sainsbury’s in Cow Lane was unable to open as scheduled and many parking spaces were filled with water. A spokesperson for the supermarket said: “Our Dome roundabout store opened slightly later than usual this morning because of local road closures caused by severe weather conditions overnight.

"We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

Flooding in Green Lane, Bovingdon.Flooding in Green Lane, Bovingdon, on Monday. (Image: Contribution) Meanwhile, torrential rain accumulated in swathes of Cassiobury Park, with the Watford Miniature Railway and a play park among areas hit.

The Environment Agency put flood alerts in place for the rivers Gade and Bulbourne, warning those in low lying land in Croxley Green, Hunton Bridge and Kings Langley to take precautions.

Flood alert areas highlighted in yellow.Flood alert areas highlighted in yellow. (Image: The Environmental Agency) Hertfordshire councillor Phil Bibby, who is responsible for highways in the county, said it has been a “busy” period for Hertfordshire Highways and Fire and Rescue teams after 260 reports of floods between Saturday and Monday.

“I’d like to thank residents for promptly reporting issues to us over the past few days and for their ongoing patience as we continue to respond,” he added.

“This is a timely opportunity for us to remind them of the risks of weather like this and the precautionary steps they can take to protect their own property and stay safe and well as they move around the county.”

Flooding in Cassiobury Park.Flooding in Cassiobury Park on Monday. (Image: Roger Middleton) A yellow weather warning is also in place for Watford from 5pm on Thursday until 10am on Friday. It was predicted that some areas of southern England could see up to 20 to 30mm of rain in two to three hours and potentially 40 to 60mm in four to six hours.

The Met Office added that “given the recent very wet weather” this could bring the potential for further flooding and transport disruption.

The A41, at the A405 Leavesden underpass, at lunchtime on Monday. (Image: Contribution) Cassiobury Park flooding on Monday.Cassiobury Park flooding on Monday. (Image: Rob Marriner-Dodds)Ducks on the Watford Miniature Railway route.Ducks on the Watford Miniature Railway route. (Image: Roger Middleton)