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As it happenedended
3 years ago

London flooding - live: Climate emergency ‘on our doorstep’, warns Khan after torrential downpour in capital

Follow live updates below

Rory Sullivan,Andy Gregory
Tuesday 05 October 2021 17:17 EDT
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Road severely flooded on London's A4 after torrential downpours overnight

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The impact of the climate emergency is on “our doorstep”, Sadiq Khan warned after London experienced more flash floods.

The torrential rainfall caused road disruption and Tube closures on Tuesday.

More than an inch of rain fell in one hour in some parts of the city overnight, with St James’s Park among the worst-affected areas. It saw a total of 26mm in just sixty minutes, according to the Met Office.

“Once again, we’re seeing the impact of the climate emergency on our doorstep. In London we’re leading from the front to tackle this crisis, and I’ll continue to urge other politicians here and around the world to take the action that’s desperately needed,” the mayor of London said.

As a result of the downpour, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that there are “severe” delays on some Underground lines.

Above ground, floodwater hit tourist hotspots such as Knightsbridge, with firefighters in attendance to unblock a drain there.

Elsewhere, there is no service between Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction due to flooding at Imperial Wharf.

Meanwhile, a whole lane on the A4 near the Hammersmith Flyover in west London has been submerged.

3 years ago

Sadiq Khan: ‘We’re seeing the impact of the climate emergency on our doorstep’

In response to the scenes in the capital, Sadiq Khan has said that Londoners are witnessing the “impact of the climate emergency” on their “doorstep”.

The London mayor said Transport for London (TfL) was working hard with local councils to return travel services and roads to normal.

“Once again, we’re seeing the impact of the climate emergency on our doorstep. In London we’re leading from the front to tackle this crisis, and I’ll continue to urge other politicians here and around the world to take the action that’s desperately needed,” he added.

Rory Sullivan5 October 2021 12:00
3 years ago

Parts of England could see 50mm of rain on Tuesday, warns Met Office

Areas in the north-east of England could experience as much as 50mm of rain today, the Met Office has warned.

These levels are higher than the rainfall seen overnight in London, which led to flash floods.

Meteorologist Grahame Madge told the PA news agency: “The rainfall is subsiding for much of the country now, but the low pressure system is going out into north-east England and south-east Scotland.

“It will still be a bit showery elsewhere, but the main downpours are converging over the north-east.”

Rory Sullivan5 October 2021 12:20
3 years ago

More flooding photos

Rory Sullivan5 October 2021 12:35
3 years ago

Fire at Westminster Tube station

Turning away from flooding news momentarily, a fire has broken out at Westminster Tube station.

“Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters are at the scene of a fire at Westminster Station on Bridge Street in Westminster,” the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

Lamiat Sabin has this breaking story:

Westminster: Firefighters attend blaze at London underground station

The station serves the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street
Rory Sullivan5 October 2021 12:55
3 years ago

Latest weather update

Here’s the latest weather forecast from the Met Office:

Rory Sullivan5 October 2021 13:20
3 years ago

LFB pumps water out of flooded premises

The London Fire Brigade is helping to pump floodwater out of premises in Westminster, the local council has confirmed.

Earlier on Tuesday, Westminster Council said that city inspectors were assessing the damage to properties in parts of Knightsbridge, Bourne Terrace (W2), Oak Tree and Abbey Road (NW8).

Rory Sullivan5 October 2021 13:43
3 years ago

Met Office issues rain warning for west Scotland on Thursday

Up to 150mm of rain could fall in a single day in some areas of western Scotland later this week, the Met Office has said.

This is considerably more rain than the levels seen in London overnight.

As a result, the agency issued a yellow weather warning from Glasgow up to Fort William between midnight and 3pm on Thursday.

Rory Sullivan5 October 2021 14:00
3 years ago

Flood warnings in place across UK

Two flood warnings are in place as well as dozens of flood alerts, the Environment Agency has said.

Flooding is expected in an area of Keswick in the Lake District as well as by sections of the River Anker near Birmingham.

Meanwhile, more flooding is possible in regions such as London, the south-west and the Midlands.

Rory Sullivan5 October 2021 14:17
3 years ago

Flooding in northern England could last into Wednesday

Flooding in the north of England could last into Wednesday, the Environment Agency has said.

Katherine Smith, flood duty manager at the public body, said: “Working with our partners in local resilience forums, Environment Agency teams have been out on the ground clearing waste grilles and screens, and stand ready to operate flood defences if needed.

“They are also ready to support local authorities in their response to surface water flooding.”

Scottish and Welsh agencies have also issued flood alerts for Edinburgh and the Lothians, the Scottish Borders and parts of the north Wales coast.

Rory Sullivan5 October 2021 14:36
3 years ago

Video: Knightsbridge flooding

Here’s more about this morning’s flooding in Knightsbridge, central London.

The Evening Standard’s Michael Howie took this clip on his commute to work:

Rory Sullivan5 October 2021 15:00

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