To think that the Gvt should get its head out of the sand and declare a national emergency?

[Destinysdaughter]

I fortunately do not live in any of the areas affected by flooding but bloody hell, if this isn't now a national emergency I don't know what is? Just been watching it on the news and the complacency from our so called leaders is staggering! What's it gonna take? The Thames is now breaking its banks. Will it take the Houses of Parliament to be flooded before they take it seriously and help people...?

And anyone who says this isn't to do with climate change is off their rocket! (IMO)

agree with you.

I agree! It will be especially awful on weds and thurs flooding and a tube strike.

Yanbu, they really need to step up an do something. People have been under water now since before Christmas.

Houses near us are flooded. There is no information given to people.

But Dave fucking cameron is dry!

agree

there is flooding quite close to here with contaminated sewer water in peoples homes, elderly folk are having to rely on helpful neighbours (if they are lucky) to fetch them stuff. there is no real system to cover this. it is amazing there have not been more fatalities linked to this. I am concerned for the farmers too - they are already frequently struggling financially and with a high rate of suicide. Recovery is going to be a long long road. Food prices will go up, affecting those already on the breadline and putting more pressure on foodbanks etc.

Quite a lot of the country most of it is absolutely, completely, not flooded. Why would it be a national emergency? YABU.

YANBU, I agree with you. Unfortunately this government don't care about anyone but themselves and their billionaire pals.

What would your proposals be if a national emergency was called OP?

The government have failed miserably with this. YANBU.

Yanbu. I find the lack of leadership in all this very worrying. All they've done is use this as an opportunity for yet another squabble.

What happens if we declare a National Emergency?

David Cameron suddenly seems interested now that the Thames (and therefore London might be affected.
news.uk.msn.com/uk/storms-to-bring-more-floods-misery-1

What would actually happen ( practically) if it was declared?

Or, people can use their flood insurance....?

I think it's something to do with money and how it can be spent.

Sandbags for a start would be good, before the water is inches near, rather than after.

Information is needed. If your house floods, what do you do about

The eletrics? is the water still drinkable?

I would like other countries to send us money. It might then make our Government feel humiliated enough to cough up a lot more of it's own. And yes, some of the money it currently sends out in foreign aid.

A National Emergency is usually a threat to national security. As serious as the floods are I don't think they are that.

What can be done about flooding though? You cant make the water disappear.

Thise poor people are not being reassured that their best interests are a priority. Their homes and lives are ruined probably forever

Thing is - there are lots of other people who have been affected by floods in the past. Hull, Carlisle, etc.

Their lives were ruined. What help have they had? I bet they can't even get flood insurance.

Should people get compensation for floods if they have not got flood insurance?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_emergency

How horrid of Cameron to not stop it raining.

There needs to be aid to affected areas, but don't agree that it's a national emergency.

As I work in the field of national emergencies,, as pressing as this is for those involved it isn't one.

If your talking about enacting Part 2 of the civil contingencies act for emergency powers, what are you hoping to achieve?

Part 1 is in full force at the moment.

Also sandbags are a useless PR stunt, they achieve very little with the volume of water you're talking about.

Really sick of hearing "are India/Haiti/Africa sending us aid? No, I thought not". Seriously, this is nothing compared to what happens there.

What happens differently if a National Emergency is declared?

Might have an interesting effect on property prices in the Thames area. Many homes will now be uninsurable