Floods!

Poor people,what a nightmare.

Each major flooding incident is worse than the previous one. Each time we say how dreadful it is and something must be done etc etc. We don't however seem to make a connection between our fossil fuel use and the level of flood defence spending who h has been cut 30% over the past 5 years and due for a further 30% cut during the current term.

Driving past Carlisle, yesterday, the M6 was like a bridge over the sea!

Water stretching for acres. I have never seen anything like it. So sorry for all those flooded.

x

Main road into Northallerton from the A1 yesterday. Likely to be closed for a few days. Thoughts with those who are affected elsewhere.

Certainly makes one think about planning.With sincere sympathy to all involved.

What I must find out is this - each flood defence put up by the Environment Agency must show that it protects at least £8.00 worth of property for each £1 spent. So does that mean that all things being equal in flood risk a house worth a couple of million will be protected in preference to one worth £100000?
If this is the case is property in the south more likely to be protected than the north?

I don't think it's £8.00 worth of property (as in houses etc.) so much as general protection against flooding for the area, i.e. benefits.

(not welfare ones!)

Oh so a town is much more likely to get defended them say a rural area?

Any area that suffers from regular flooding, I presume, but I must admit I'm not well up on the subject. Must do some googling...

Just returned from visiting family in south Cumbria and we we're so relieved to find them all safe and sound. Local rivers coping so far but the river Duddon was so swollen and angry. The house has only just had it's roof repaired on a new extension which was another great worry but all is fine thank goodness!

Been watching the news and its looking so dangerous and scary, those poor people going through it for the 3/4 th time its horrendous.

Our niece lives in Todmorden - thankfully near the top of a hill - but they are marooned.

It sounds horrific and I have not seen the news yet. Those poor people.

We're twelve miles north of Manchester on the edge of moorland. Our road was blocked by floods this morning . A newly renovated detached stone house was flooded as a result. The reservoir outflow was a noisy torrent and the brook a raging river. One daughters village was cut off after a bridge collapsed. I've lived in this Area forty six years and never experienced conditions like this. Lots of local news about roads closed due to flooding. The normally quiet Irwell in Manchester city centre also raging. We're lucky to be on high ground, those in the valleys less fortnate

Bangor and Anglesey effectively cut off all day due to flooding. Only decent road in is A55 to Holyhead and that is closed. if you know anyone hoping to get to or from Dublin tell them to check for updates before setting off.
Loads of local routes also blocked by floodwater.

It's so frightening to see the raging torrents destroying homes and livelihoods - my heart goes out to everyone affected. I also worry about all the poor animals which doubtless perish - people's pets hopefully are safe but farm animals and those in burrows etc must surely drown.

I am from the North and this morning said to DH that in all the 69 years I have lived in and around the area, I have never, ever seen floods here. Just about half a mile away they are helping people evacuate in dinghies. I just can't believe it. I feel so sorry for the people involved.

There is also this feeling of helplessness, there is nothing we can do to stop the rain which is causing all the trouble, and at the moment not a lot we can do to help the poor folk losing everything. Such a sad thing to happen at what should be a happy time.

My heart goes out to everyone affected. Initially from Yorkshire I know a lot of the affected areas there well. It's heart breaking to see the plight of all and I hope that when the rain stops and water levels drop sufficiently we can all do a little something to help in some way.

I'm so sorry for all the people flooded not once but several times in the Lakes and the North West and now York. My daughter lives in Thelwall just outside Warrington and ha has put pictures on Facebook of the canal lock near here which has flooded. I haven't heard from her other than that though.

Here in West Yorkshire, the water rose very quickly last night.Homes and businesses flooded as are parks and beauty spots.Thankful to live at the top of a very steep hill. Thoughts are with everyone affected and fingers crossed that the torrential rain they are predicting on Wednesday doesn't happen.

I especially feel sorry for those who are not insured. They face having to do some of the work themselves and paying out for builders to do it for them, and you can guarantee there will be a shortage of these as the insurance companies will be bagging most of them for their clients. And, unless they can find alternative accommodation with relatives or friends they will have to fork out for rented accommodation for 9-12 months.

Then there's everything which will have to be replaced; electrical goods, carpets, furniture and so on. I hope there is some way these people can have unwanted items donated to them 9-12 months down the line when/if they are able to move back.

Yes,it shows the importance of everyone having insurance, otherwise you can lose everything.Have any Gnetters been directly affected by the floods?

It must be devastating, especially if you can't get insurance, you clear it all up and then it happens again.
We had friends who had just finished renovating an old house in Gloucestershire a few years ago and then it got flooded when Tewkesbury and surrounding districts were under water for ages.

The river here is over the banks and full of silt, it was rushing down yesterday at full speed. We are fine but I feel for those people affected wherever they are.