The scene this afternoon (Sunday) near South End Green

TENANTS and restaurant workers faced a desperate scramble to unblock drains in South End Green on Sunday afternoon, as storms put the area under several inches of water for the second time in a fortnight.

The New Journal filmed the streets in Hampstead swamped by the deluge. More than seven inches of water rose at the junction near Hampstead Heath overground station, causing massive disruption. Barriers set up to protect outside diners from traffic began floating away, traffic was stopped and business owners feared that water would breach their shop doors.

Some, including passers-by and staff at Mimmo la Bufala, walked through floodwater barefoot and used makeshift tools – including upturned brooms, sticks, umbrellas and rods to try and clear drains. The scenes were similar to those on July 12 as several parts of Camden were under water, causing tens of thousands of damage to homes and shops.

Camden Council said it had sent out its gully-clearing team in advance of the storm after receiving a weather warning. After drains outside Mimmo la Bufala had been cleared and the rainwater receded, a Veolia road sweeping lorry arrived to clear the road – two hours after the rain began. Met Office weather warning for thunderstorms and rain had been issued for London on Sunday, until at least 7pm.

Paula Rimoli, manager at Mimmo la Bufala said: “The water couldn’t get in [to the drains] because of leaves, it wasn’t operating. We used a stick of metal to unblock it. I don’t think the council have been here to unblock it since it flooded last time, if they did they didn’t complete the job. I think it was worse today than two weeks ago.” After the Veolia truck drove by, she added: “At least they’ve come and cleaned here now.”

She told the New Journal she was unsure whether the Italian eatery would open that evening, as staff began a clean-up operation inside. She managed to salvage the barriers, tying them up to try as ad-hoc blocks to stop the rain water getting in. “It’s absolutely crazy, because cars were still coming up and down and I was just thinking ‘just why?’. I’m completely wet, my new shoes have been ruined. I’m scared, I might end up staying here all night because I don’t trust the weather at all,” she said.

One of the locals who came out to try and clear the drains said: “Basically it got to a point where the gullies got jammed with whatever there is, leaves, debris and what have you. I don’t think those two drains have been cleared. It builds up within five minutes.”

Earlier this month, scores of homes and businesses were damaged in flash floods across Hampstead, Chalk Farm, Primrose Hill and West Hampstead.

Camden Council is responsible for keeping gullies and drains clear, and a fortnight ago said they cleaned gullies once, twice or four times a year, depending on their location. It tweeted on Sunday afternoon: “Following an amber weather warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms across London, we are working to clear out gullies & drains in areas around Belsize, Swiss Cottage, Frognal and Fitzjohns to help the flow of water.”

Kenwood Ladies Pond, Highgate Men’s Bathing Pond and the Mixed Bathing Pond were also closed by the City of London Corporation. Some, including the Dartmouth Arms in York Rise, closed due to drenched cellars.

Ms Rimoli added: “Everyone came and helped, and that was such a surprise how many people came, it was nice – and we’re so grateful.

“I’m worried. This is now summer. In winter time? How bad is that going to be? I know this is happening across London, not just here.”