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)

YABU - it isn't national. They should concentrate efforts on the areas that need help.

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

No. Otherwise you're just penalizing people who have flood insurance. And the cost of living in a flood zone does not reflect the actual cost of living... in a flood zone.

Honey what are you trying to prove in that link? The UK has the CCA 2004.

For those not aware; plenty of flood advice out there, including

www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/default.aspx

Terrible for all those affected, but it isn't across the nation. It can only be a small percentage of the population.

Must be grim. But apart from stopping the storms I can't see what the government can do now.

They can do things to stop it happening so badly in the future but can't carry out those things yet, as I understand it.

There is nothing anyone can do in the short term, there really isnt. The government is not being complacent or lazy, there genuinely is nothing they can do.

In the medium/ long-term:
Stop building inappropriate housing on flood plains
Manage catchment areas properly (and this does not generally involve flood defences).

However, both these things cost a shit load of money so are unlikely to happen.

I think something really needs to be done. We all know Camoron can't stop it raining, but saying people will have whatever they need, when they have been under water since before Christmas is not really doing anything imo.

Hopefully if the Houses of Parliament do flood, it'll be with a massive whoosh and wash all those wankers down the Thames!

There was an interesting talk about using Beavers to make dams upstream to manage the waterways in future.

Bowler that's the thing, it's dependant on what you want flooding out. Flood prevention usually achieves it's goal by moving the problem elsewhere. The agencies involved will make decisions on the risk of flooding, and for them it achieves their goal to let mainly agricultural land rather than larger towns flood.

I can't see how anyone can blame the government for rain

"Stop building inappropriate housing on flood plains"

This. In York, they've built houses on a flood plain. Flood plains are flood plains for a reason.

We have Clifton Ings which is designed to flood and reduces the Ouse by a few inches. That's effective. But I'm surprised someone hasn't built on that.

I wonder if people and the Goverment might think about climate change more seriously and change attitudes towards fracking, wind farms and alternative energy sources.

Honey what are you trying to prove in that link? The UK has the CCA 2004

The link is relevant isnt it? What is the CCA 2004. Link please!

Not really, it describes the state of emergency laws for each country in examples.

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 is the UKs law governing emergency planning and powers.

www.gov.uk/preparation-and-planning-for-emergencies-responsibilities-of-responder-agencies-and-others

This is not a National emergency, though devastating for those affected, and to suggest suspending foreign aid is just fucking ridiculous.

I like the sound of the beavers, Holly

Well, the uninsured can take heart. There's a new levy imposed upon all insured people to cover their flood risk!

FT article

Op... What would you like to see being done?

There is a lot the government can do in terms of mobilising forces, temporary homes, etc. FEMA in the States can be really really crap (thinking New Orleans) but it at least has the principle of providing a coordinated response rather than the piecemeal random approach that it seems is being undertaken at the moment. Apologies Rigglin if I have that wrong.

They started with their wankily named COBRA meetings weeks ago yet sandbags are being unloaded by the army - today - in areas that are already a foot underwater. I don't know if sandbags are a pointless publicity stunt or not but either they are useless, in which case why are the army pissing about with them, or they are useful - and should have been distributed 48 hours earlier so people could bet them up against their doors before the water came.
The distribution of drinking water certainly seems to be shambolic, but maybe its not. It has also been suggested that the evacuation of livestock is based purely on volunteers and FB, whereas you would think something larger scale and more professional would be needed.

Agee op how much more water do you need
Literately some people are havering to swim for it

It's like they won't do anything until the queen is floating down the mall ffs

RG. Since you work in this field, can you tell us more please.

What, in simple laymen's terms are the different stages?

[had a brief read of your link. Couldnt understand much more then agencies to co-operate].

And I keep hearing the army are on stand by well get them off and doing something

Same here honeysweet, which considering the infighting between government ministers is a little ironic. I would like to learn more about this.

The thing with events like this is the media have a field day and have 24hr news to fill, the politicians stick their noses in and get in the fucking way

I'm not involved in this particular response, but id bet my house that there is a coordinated response on the ground. Even if it doesn't feel like it.

Cobra (government level) will be taking reports from Gold control and the responses below at silver and bronze.

The fact is the agencies such as police, fire, nhs, local authorities, etc will be working towards sorting it out and not giving press briefings.

Sometimes though, I am amazed that people living below sea level, near the sea or near a river are surprised at flooding.

I live in a 1 in 500year flood plain, I have flood defences neighbours think I'm potty cos I know that when it comes it'll destroy everything.

For a split second I was imagining that my son's Beaver troop would be out on the Sheaf building dams on Wednesday. Then my brain kicked in and I realised you mean animals not small children.
Been a long day.

In answer to your question, no. In my opinion this isn't a reason to declare a national emergency. Nor am I sure what else can be done to help. Obviously the poor people involved will need lots of help when the waters recede but I have no idea what more can be done for them now. Really feel for the poor buggers though.