UK Flooding

[SummerRain]

So I figured maybe we could have a thread on the flooding in the UK. Is anybody affected? I'm lucky enough to be north and on a hill so I have been unaffected.

I was looking for a general news article for people not in the UK, I found UK Floods: The Winners and the Losers which was fairly interesting.

There has also been some stir from Daily Mail story, which suggested that the UK ought to put UK people first and pull foreign aid to pay for help for people who have lost money due to the floods.

The Daily Mail today launches a petition to urge ministers to divert some of the UK’s £11billion foreign aid budget to the floods crisis.

As thousands are driven from their homes, there is growing anger that Britain is spending billions on foreign development projects, and so little on flood relief at home.

Last night Mark Kirby, his wife Kate and their three children, from the devastated Somerset village of Moorland, said simply suspending aid for a brief period could raise enough money for UK families.

In response, I saw a satire article: African Union: We cannot ignore the plight of Berkshire any longer.

Responding to popular calls from the Daily Mail and Nigel Farage, African leaders met in Kinshasa yesterday to discuss the growing floods crisis in the United Kingdom.

‘The images of knee-high water have shocked us all’, said Congo’s President Kabila, whose nation is currently recovering from the most brutal conflict in recorded history since the Second World War.

‘The [Daily] Mail and Mr Farage have made it clear that Britain’s international aid budget, used around the globe to combat AIDS, famine and female genital mutilation, is needed in High Wycombe.

‘Well, we can do one better’.

Anyway I thought we could have a thread about the floods... and I put in some stories, controversial satire, and pictures with cute puppies for good measure.

 

[AeryFairy]

Well, it didn't get my home (thankfully!), but it did get my wedding venue. Hope everyone here is safe and flood-free.

 

[Second Summer]

Sorry to hear that, Aery.

For me the trouble has been getting to work and back home again. Fortunately, this second round of flooding hasn't caused much disruption to the bus service I use, despite one of the roads being closed for a couple of days.

 

[Pirate]

My house is OK but my work is fucked (I work in Staines). I posted about it in the weather thread, but we've had to relocate for the time being - to 50 miles away to Reading. I have no idea how long it'll take before we can go back. It's a bit draining but I know I could have it a lot worse.

 

[KLS52]

Wow...sorry hear this. Sounds awful.

 

[Moll Flanders]

I was unaffected, a local river had a flood warning but I don't think any homes were affected. I saw on the news that in some areas people were waiting for emergency help and the first people to arrive were the RSPCA (an animal charity) rather than any official help from the police or army. I feel really sorry for anyone who has had their home or business flooded, it must be a nightmare.

I did geography a-level (and barely paid attention) but I think the government must have been aware of the risks from building homes on floodplains and from not dredging rivers. It seems like the local people know the risks but steps haven't been put in place to prevent flooding. There needs to be much more investment I think, especially with climate change.

 

[Moll Flanders]

There has also been some stir from Daily Mail story, which suggested that the UK ought to put UK people first and pull foreign aid to pay for help for people who have lost money due to the floods.

Typical Daily Fail. I definitely don't think we should pull foreign aid. I heard a few days that David Cameron was going to apply for money from the EU Solidarity Fund, which was set up in 2002 to provide aid to member states hit by natural disasters.

 

[shyvas]

I was unaffected, a local river had a flood warning but I don't think any homes were affected. I saw on the news that in some areas people were waiting for emergency help and the first people to arrive were the RSPCA (an animal charity) rather than any official help from the police or army. I feel really sorry for anyone who has had their home or business flooded, it must be a nightmare.

I did geography a-level (and barely paid attention) but I think the government must have been aware of the risks from building homes on floodplains and from not dredging rivers. It seems like the local people know the risks but steps haven't been put in place to prevent flooding. There needs to be much more investment I think, especially with climate change.

That is comforting to know.

I like the photo of the three pooches in the dingy. It looks like they are aware of what is happening to them. Dogs are truly amazing creatures.

 

[CrazyCatLady]

I worry about all the wildlife when there's so much flooding :-( where do all the rabbits, rodents etc go? Hope they make it somewhere safe.

So comforting to see that pets are being safely rescued too. Can not hope this is in all cases and not just a few xxx

 

[shyvas]

I worry about all the wildlife when there's so much flooding :-( where do all the rabbits, rodents etc go? Hope they make it somewhere safe.

So comforting to see that pets are being safely rescued too. Can not hope this is in all cases and not just a few xxx

Same here.

 

[hungryraccoon]

It was on the news this morning about how it has affected wild animals. A large amount have drowned as there is so much flooded ground that they simply cannot all get to higher ground.

 

[shyvas]

It was on the news this morning about how it has affected wild animals. A large amount have drowned as there is so much flooded ground that they simply cannot all get to higher ground.

That is so terribly sad; poor mites.

 

[Trinity]

Keeps going up and down here. I almost lost my car to the floods when I was driving across the levels the other week. I was absolutely terrified.
It's was that moment where you can't go back, you can't stop the car, yet if you go forwards the car might cut out.
I just hit my food on the peddle, put the wipers on full pelt and have no idea how we made it!!! I wound the windows down in case we ended up drowning in the ditch.
I've never known anything like it. NEVER AGAIN!

Have to be really careful where I go at the moment.

 

[Trinity]

It was on the news this morning about how it has affected wild animals. A large amount have drowned as there is so much flooded ground that they simply cannot all get to higher ground.

That's so sad!

 

[ledboots]

Keeps going up and down here. I almost lost my car to the floods when I was driving across the levels the other week. I was absolutely terrified.
It's was that moment where you can't go back, you can't stop the car, yet if you go forwards the car might cut out.
I just hit my food on the peddle, put the wipers on full pelt and have no idea how we made it!!! I wound the windows down in case we ended up drowning in the ditch.
I've never known anything like it. NEVER AGAIN!

Have to be really careful where I go at the moment.

So scary!! Be careful out there, Trinity!

 

[Trinity]

So scary!! Be careful out there, Trinity!

Thank you
I really am being so careful now after that scare.

We had flooding in our local health food shop the other day too (which is a huge hub of activity in the town). We get a sort of river flowing down Glastonbury high street when we get a flash flood. The drains can't cope. Our lanes have streams flowing down them, where there didn't used to be. I think its kinda of beautiful too - mother earth reclaiming herself.