Many places devastated by the terrible floods earlier this month were bracing themselves for a repeat performance today.

After the worst storm in Sussex since the 1987 hurricane, floods were expected at towns and villages such as Lewes, Uckfield and Robertsbridge.

Already a major appeal has been launched to help victims of these floods, especially in Lewes, the worst affected place of all.

We are giving our wholehearted backing to the appeal and urge readers to give generously to it.

Many people lost most of their possessions in the floods. Some also lost their livelihoods.

They need aid so that they can begin the slow and dispiriting task of rebuilding their lives.

The emergency services have done a magnificent job in helping these people and have prevented the damage from being even worse.

But with hundreds more victims of the weather expected today, those of us who escaped with no more than a soaking should do all we can to help those who were less fortunate though no fault of their own.