Snow is on its way to Kent with Storm Christoph this weekend with the Met office issuing a yellow warning predicting 17 hours of “heavy snow”. Forecasters also say Kent, Sussex and East Anglia are at a high risk of flooding throughout next week which could disrupt travel and put people out of their houses. 

The Environment Agency are warning people not to hesitate to leave their homes and seek refuge in local buildings and emergency shelters despite coronavirus restrictions. 

Local emergency response teams have also planned for managing evacuations in a COVID-safe way.

The popular Fenn Bell Inn in Rochester, a pub and home to an animal conservation project has dealt with 3 major floods in the past year. Andy Cowell, owner of the Fenn Bell Inn, has explained that it is an: “Incredible amount of pressure to have the flooding in addition to the coronavirus lockdowns, we have no money coming in and haven’t had money coming in since November (…) the people have done a greater deal at supporting us though a GoFund page than the government”.

The pub and zoo, is used to receiving visitors from all over the world, but with coronavirus, the business has suffered significantly. They are still urging people across the county and beyond to stay hopeful: “The most important thing is for people’s lives to be saved. That point when you know when you are going to lose a home, a house, a business, it is heartbreaking. You should not risk your life to save furniture, it is not important in the real scheme of life”, expressed Andy.

For now, residents of Kent need to remember to stay safe and take precautions as Christoff makes his way to the south east.

You can help the Fenn Bell Inn by donating to their fundraiser.