London thunderstorms cause flash floods, transport chaos and health warnings

Overnight on Wednesday‑Thursday a powerful thunderstorm swept across London, producing almost 3,000 lightning strikes in a two‑hour period and torrential rain that flooded roads in Ruislip, Uxbridge, Raynes Park and other districts. The deluge forced the closure of several tube stations, halted Elizabeth line services between Heathrow terminals and disrupted A‑roads in Wallington, Twickenham and Childs Hill.

The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for extreme heat across southern England, forecasting temperatures up to 40 °C, and the UK Health Security Agency added a red health warning for six English regions, citing risk to life. Schools in England and Wales were advised to close or finish early.

Amid the severe weather, a British Airways flight approaching Heathrow was struck by lightning, prompting a brief cabin alarm but no emergency landing. Experts explained that aircraft are designed to act as a Faraday cage, so passengers experienced only a loud bang and flash while the aircraft sustained minor damage.