PART of the Lower Gardens in Bournemouth have flooded after a torrential downpour this afternoon.

Footage captured by Aaron Thomas

 

The area was hit by thunderstorms in the mid-afternoon, with heavy rain and hail stones lashing down on the town.

It led to the gardens in Bournemouth quickly becoming flooded as the drainage system was overwhelmed.

Bournemouth Echo:

The low-lying area between the Bournemouth Balloon and the crazy golf course was particularly badly hit, with drains visibly erupting and a smell of sewage in the air.

It again led to questions about why the town’s drainage system could not cope.

See more pictures of the flash floods in a gallery

A spokesperson for Bournemouth council said: "Our parks team are currently in the Central and Lower Gardens assessing the flooding following the severe downpour this afternoon.

"In the meantime the gardens have been cordoned off and are closed to the public."

Roads also quickly became awash, with some flooding, including close to Bournemouth town hall.

Bournemouth Echo: Pictures of flooding after heavy rain and thunderstorms hit Bournemouth and Poole

While residents in Branksome had scenes resembling winter rather than summer after hail storms left a blanket of white on this street. 

Bournemouth Echo:

Picture taken by Chris Wiseman

Bournemouth's Primark store had to be evacuated following the downpours after floors became too slippy for customers.

Stuart McAllister sent us this video of rain in Alder Hills

Do you have pictures or video of flooding? email them to digital@bournemouthecho.co.uk, tweet @Bournemouthecho or text 80360, starting your message with BE

Don't forget to include your name so we can credit you.