HAMPSHIRE communities hit by road and rail misery caused by Storm Jonas are being warned to expect more rain over the next few days.

Thousands of motorists across the county faced travel chaos yesterday after many routes were either closed or rendered virtually impassable by a downpour that lasted several hours.

One of the worst affected areas was the New Forest, where many of the roads resembled rivers.

South West Trains said the situation was so bad it was unable to provide buses between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth after the line was flooded, forcing the cancellation of rail services.

In a message to commuters South West Trains said: “Hampshire Police have advised us that the majority of roads through the New Forest are flooded, and as a result we are unable to run any replacement road transport between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth.

“Intermediate stations between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth will not be served and passengers for these stations are advised not to travel at this time.”

Lymington Town Quay was flooded after heavy rain coincided with an exceptionally high tide, but traders said none of the shops was affected.

The heavens opened as Storm Jonas swept across the county just days after causing storm chaos on the eastern side of the United States.

Last night Hampshire residents were warned that more bad weather is on the way.

Forecasters said the south would be battered by rain and strong winds tomorrow, followed by another downpour overnight.

After a comparatively dry spell on Saturday the weather will turn wet and windy again on Sunday.

Yesterday the Environment Agency issued flood alerts to people living near the Beaulieu River, the Lymington River and Bartley Water in Totton.

Balmer Lawn Road in Brockenhurst was closed and two cars were marooned in floodwater in nearby Mill Lane and Sway Road. The junction of Burley Road and Brookley Road was also flooded to a depth of several inches.

In a warning to motorists police said: “If it looks too deep then it probably is. Don’t risk it.”

Elsewhere in the county a tree came down at Chandler’s Ford railway station, preventing trains from travelling through. The line re-opened at 7.30am but passengers trying to get to work were delayed.

Ferry services in the Solent area were also hit by the severe weather.

Passengers lined the platform at Southampton parkway station for replacement bus services after trains were cancelled due to flooding.

Commuters were left fuming after only a limited number of busses were laid on, forcing passengers to stand in line along the station.

Elizabeth Collier, 69, retired, had been travelling to Bournemouth and said: "The lack of information is an absolute disgrace - nobody has been along the queue to tell us what is happening.

"No one has told us anything, I know this is unplanned but it is not very good not letting us know what's is happening and how long it will be.

"There has been no unpleasantness in the queue it is all very British but this is very frustrating."

Eve McAlpine, 24, a professional dancer had been travelling home said:We only found out about this three stops before and they gave us more information when we were on the train than they are here.

"We feel a bit like cattle and I have had to pay a ridiculous amount of money for the train ticket, I could have bought flights abroad for that amount.

"Now we have got to wait for a bus in the cold when we paid for train travel."

Stacey Williams, 26, a nurse had been travelling to Weymouth and said: "I'm meant to be home at 4.15pm and I'm going to miss my shift because we don't know when we are going to get there.

"I am not going to get paid so I'm going to try and get compensation from the train company."