Urban flooding and emergency preparedness: is the UK ready? | LSE Future Proof

In July 2021, two extreme downpours hit London. One storm produced five times more water than the city’s sewer system could handle, flooding homes, businesses, hospitals and transport networks — and leaving people trapped in their own homes.
In this video, veteran broadcaster and LSE Visiting Professor in Practice David Shukman explores why urban flooding is becoming more dangerous, how climate change is intensifying extreme rainfall, and why cities like London are not yet prepared for surface water flooding.
Through first-hand accounts and expert insight, we examine how extreme weather like intense rain overwhelms drainage systems, forces sewage back into homes, and puts lives at risk — even in one of the world’s wealthiest cities. We also look at climate adaptation, emergency preparedness and how to protect against heavy rains: from spongier cities and permeable streets, to changes in planning, flood insurance, and everyday urban choices.