Morning:
8°c
London was braced for more rain today after torrential downpours caused flash floods and stranded thousands of commuters.
The deluge caused travel chaos during the evening rush-hour last night with parts of the capital receiving more than an inch of rain in less than an hour.
Firefighters had to pump water from the concourse at Victoria railway station before services could resume. There was severe disruption on the Tube as Hyde Park Corner, Paddington, Victoria and both Edgware Road branches were forced to close.
Commuters caught in the downpours, which started mid-afternoon and continued throughout the evening, told how they struggled to make it home.
Peter Dunston, a retired bus driver from Croydon, said: “On a normal day I would have got a bus but there were thousands and thousands of extra people trying to get one so I sat it out.”
Gillian Stone, 20, a student from Borough Green in Kent, said: “I had to call my dad and get him to come from his office at Canary Wharf to pick me up. I was lucky I had that option.”
In pictures: Storms hit London
A Transport for London spokesman said: “Our staff worked quickly to deal with the water in the stations and we restored services to the stations as soon as was possible.”
The Met Office had issued flash flood warnings, but forecasters said the intensity of the showers rather than the overall rainfall caught people out.
London was not as badly hit but the heavy showers did bring parts of the capital to a standstill.
Stars of the latest Harry Potter film were drenched on the red carpet at the premiere in Leicester Square.
Emma Watson, who plays Hermione in the films, had her dress ruined despite being escorted by several minders with umbrellas.
Labour MP Frank Field said: “The gods showed their displeasure.”
The thunderstorms also meant the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the summer was a washout. Rain hammered down as the Queen, who stayed in a marquee, mingled with guests. Eileen Dawes, 58, a retired teacher from Beverley in East Yorkshire, said: “It was raining before the Queen arrived but as soon as she appeared the sun came out.
“We were right in front of the queue for the afternoon tea when the first storm hit but got caught out in the open for the second — it was incredible.”
Some respite is forecast today with breaks between the showers, which will gradually become lighter.
The weather is expected to remain unsettled tomorrow but drier on Friday.
Stars caught in the rain at Potter premiere
