Heavy rain caused "knee-deep" flooding in South End Green on Monday afternoon and evening, with high water also hitting areas of Finchley Road and causing Hampstead Tube station to be shut.

Areas of West Hampstead were also affected, with Chalk Farm and Golders Green Tube stations also closed.

Flash-floods-in-South-End-Green--Hampstead

Lymington Road in West Hampstead was badly hit, while the O2 Centre was forced to close - with Sainsbury's still shut on Tuesday morning.

In Swiss Cottage, the Winch youth centre had to send young people home and is assessing the damage. Its linked to its donation page on social media.

Further north, both ends of the Bishop's Avenue were closed due to the extreme water levels, and flooding was also reported in Hornsey and across Crouch End and Muswell Hill.

Businesses including Paradise Hampstead were among those to be frantically dredging their lower floors in South End Green, while Hampstead Heath Overground station there was also deluged.

Ham & High: Both ends of the Bishop's Avenue - 'Millionaire's Row' - were floodedBoth ends of the Bishop's Avenue - 'Millionaire's Row' - were flooded (Image: Tom Houston)

Max Leach told this newspaper: "It's very bad, up to my knees in some parts. Firemen came earlier to move a cab that was stuck and block off the road but have left now.

"The fruit and veg stand has been partially washed down the road which is blocking the gutters and barriers are floating in the middle of the street.

Ham & High: 'Engine-deep' flooding visible from Roger Gulhane's car in South End Green'Engine-deep' flooding visible from Roger Gulhane's car in South End Green (Image: Roger Gulhane)

"It's like the fleet has resurfaced."

He said the row of restaurants including Paradise Hampstead and Mimmo La Bufala looked to be hardest hit.

Roger Gulhane, of the South End Green Association, drove through the rising water. He said: "It was about up to my engine. The restaurants were affected, all the chairs and tables were stacked up.

"It was worst by the Overground."

Ham & High: Flooding in South End Green appears to have begun receding.Flooding in South End Green appears to have begun receding. (Image: Max Leach)

Roger said with the rain looking to have slowed, the water level appeared to have stopped rising.

In Goldhurst Terrace, South Hampstead, another witness reported numerous gardens underwater.

And in St John's Wood, Lord's Cricket Ground was akin to a swimming pool, with groundsman Karl McDermott sharing a video highlighting the water level.

Ham & High: Gardens underwater in Goldhurst Terrace, South Hampstead, after flash floodingGardens underwater in Goldhurst Terrace, South Hampstead, after flash flooding (Image: @lunanana___)

In 2019 there was substantial subterranean work undertaken to lower flood risk in the South End Green area and Roger Gulhane was among those to question whether it had been sufficient.

Residents in Keats Grove in Hampstead were also, again, badly affected.

Ham & High: Hampstead Way underwater during the July 12 flash floodingHampstead Way underwater during the July 12 flash flooding (Image: Lees Family)

Earlier today the Met Office issued a weather warning highlighting heightened flood risk. This afternoon the London Fire Brigade said it had taken over 1,000 calls about flooding across London.

A LFB spokesperson said: "The brigade is asking people to only call 999 in a genuine emergency and to avoid walking or driving through flood water."

In Camden, the council said on Monday night: "We're still on site across the areas of the borough affected by flooding.

"We're also getting though a high volume of calls to our call centre and helping residents who need us. If you've been affected by the floods and need our support call us on 020 7974 4444."

The Hampstead Heath bathing ponds were also shut early due to the conditions.

Are you affected by the flooding? Contact the newsdesk at Sam.Volpe@Archant.co.uk and 07785616237 or editorial@hamhigh.co.uk

Ham & High: A fallen tree during the thunderstorms in Fortune Green RoadA fallen tree during the thunderstorms in Fortune Green Road (Image: Monika Parker)

Ham & High: Floodwater saw traffic almost disappear from the A1 on the edge of Golders GreenFloodwater saw traffic almost disappear from the A1 on the edge of Golders Green (Image: Tom Houston)