Camden residents can share their experiences of flooding and heatwaves to help council prepare for extreme weather

Residents are being asked to share their experiences of flooding and extreme heat in Camden to help the council plan how it responds in future.

Town Hall sustainability chief Adam Harrison is appealing for information about how people have adapted to environmental problems.

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and is drawing up its first climate resilience plan this year.

Residents’ feedback will help it develop services in line with the community’s needs, and hopefully ensure the borough is better prepared for extreme weather.

Cllr Harrison said: “We know how important it is to prepare our borough for a changing climate to make ourselves and our communities more resilient.

“We saw the extreme heat of summer 2022 and the deep cold of December 2022.”

There were more than 2,500 excess deaths among the over-65s during the summer heatwave, when the temperatures hit 40C for the first time ever in the UK.

Homes in Camden were then affected by flooding in December after a water main burst in Belsize.

In July 2021, more than 100 homes and 12 businesses in Hampstead and Belsize Road were hit by flash floods. Basement homes were especially vulnerable.

There was also surface water flooding last August.

The 2021 disaster prompted the South Hampstead Flood Group to commission reports into flood resilience and vulnerability.

The council’s new survey is asking how people were affected by the floods and where they looked for help. It also wants to know if their home is a comfortable temperature all year round.

Residents are also asked how well they think Camden is prepared to weather climate change and about the help they want.

A paper copy of the survey is available by calling 020 7974 2105 or emailing zara.scott@camden.gov.uk.

The consultation closes on 31 January.