North London was lashed by its very own Hurricane Gustav on Sunday as high winds and flash floods battered the area. Whitestone Pond in Hampstead saw winds of almost biblical proportions as residents sought shelter in bus shelters. It reminded

North London was lashed by its very own Hurricane Gustav on Sunday as high winds and flash floods battered the area.

Whitestone Pond in Hampstead saw winds of almost biblical proportions as residents sought shelter in bus shelters.

"It reminded me of tornado footage" said Jim Roland of Golders Gardens in Golders Green. "It suddenly got very dark. The rain was billowing and the wind swung over to the south west.

"It was about 4.45pm when the wind blasted through the bus shelter."

In Hampstead Garden Suburb, flash floods caused serious damage after a 35-minute deluge left tennis courts and gardens flooded.

"It happened very quickly - like a monsoon" said Market Place resident Andrew Pazienti. "If children were playing it could have been dangerous.

"It breached the banks at certain points. The water reached the top of the waste bins. It was quite spectacular.