man has been rescued from a van and 14 people evacuated to safety after heavy downpours sparked major flooding in London on Wednesday evening.
Around 40 firefighters were called to Tokyngton Avenue, Wembley, where an area of around one square mile was left beneath as much as one metre of flood water.
Photos showed a road submerged, and parked cars stuck in around 10 inches of flood water.
One man was trapped inside a van near Stonebridge Station by the floods and had to be rescued by London Fire Brigade, while 14 other people were taken to safety.
Brent Council said “a number of households” in Tokyngton Avenue were flooded after heavy rainfall “overwhelmed the existing flood preventive measures in place”.
Point Place, Tokyngton Avenue, and Argenta Way were closed due to the flooding, Brent Council said on Wednesday evening.
Six fire engines were scrambled to the incident shortly after 3.30pm.
LFB said around 6.45pm that firefighters were still working to divert the water, and urged people to “please avoid the area and don’t drive through flood water”.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Recent heavy rain has shown how quickly a flash flood can inundate a street.”
It came as Londoners were warned to brace for thunderstorms throughout Wednesday, with the Met Office forecasting downpours for much of the capital until around 7pm.
The yellow severe weather alert for a large part of England and Wales warned that some flooding and travel disruption could occur due to “heavy” downpours, which could see up to 20-25mm of rain fall within an hour.
Meanwhile the Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the River Thames riverside, from the Thames Barrier to Putney Bridge.
It warned flooding could hit in the early hours of Thursday, when river levels are expected to be high as a result of spring tides.
High tide is due at London Bridge at 3.30am on Thursday.
The Environment Agency said: “Flooding of low-lying roads and footpaths is expected, which may exist for one to two hours either side of high tide. Flooding of properties is not expected.
“We believe there is a possibility of flooding for Custom House (EC3R), Narrow Street (E14), Mayflower and Angel pubs (SE16), Royal Naval College riverfront, the Almshouse Slipway at Crane Street (SE10), Bankside by the Tate Modern (SE1), and Three Mill Island (E3).
“We are closely monitoring the situation.”
Meanwhile Met Office forecasters also said an “unseasonably deep area of low pressure” would bring heavy winds across the whole southern coast of England on Wednesday, with gales of up to 60mph.
Londoners were being warned there was a “good chance” car and bus journeys would take longer because of standing water or hail, and that delays to rail services were “possible”.
The yellow thunderstorm warning was due to be in place until 8pm on Wednesday.
LFB has issued advice on how to prepare for and deal with flooding.
A spokesperson said: “Our firefighters know what they need to do in a flood, but it’s important Londoners know as well. We’d encourage you to follow our flooding advice.”
