Your home could be at risk of constant flooding, a 'flood resilience' action group is warning.
A public meeting is being held in South Hampstead next week to help households deal with the risk to their homes.
The meeting hosted by the South Hampstead Flood Action Group is with Camden Council, the National Flood Forum charity that helps communities affected by flooding and the Environment Agency, along with Watertight International specialists in flood protection.
"Flooding is a real and ongoing risk in across Camden," the action group's Joan Munro said. "It is not just something that happened in the past.
"This is about helping people understand the risk and giving them the knowledge to be prepared -- especially those living in basement flats or other high-risk properties. They can decide what steps may be most suitable for their own circumstances."
Hampstead and Camden generally have long been vulnerable to flooding with major surface water incidents recorded in 1975, 2002 and most recently in 2021, the group points out.
Hundreds of homes and businesses were affected across London in July 2021 when more than a month's worth of rain fell in just two hours. Vehicles were stranded as floodwater blocked roads. The fire brigade took 300 calls in the space of a few hours about flooded basements.
But nothing compared to the disaster night of January 31, 1953, when a storm in the North Sea caused a surge at the same time as a high tide which swept up the Thames and flooded Canvey Island and the flatlands of Essex, where 100 people died.
National flood warnings were broadcast -- but most people were not prepared for flooding.
The public evening next Tuesday opens with Mary Long-Dhonau, a flood recovery advocate who shares her personal experiences and how to be prepared and recover.
Experts are on hand to show how small-scale nature-based solutions can help reduce surface water run-off such as planting trees and shrubs.
Flood action groups are also taking part from all over London to share ideas and strengthen collaboration.
The meeting is at the Likewise community centre at 8 Fairhazel Gardens, South Hampstead, on October 28 at 6.30pm.