flooding.

[NewLife4Me]

Aibu to ask you to spare a thought for those who are flooded.

We have lots of localised floods that are stopping our plans to visit family today.
A small problem compared to those having to leave their homes and the poor kids who can't just play with their toys.

Please check AA route planner if you are in NW as there are many routes and areas with closed roads. Our trip was only 5 miles but no way can we find a way through.

East Lancs is closed and M6 has part closures.

[Ditsy4]

Things like tinned soup, pasta, jars of sauce are useful. Bread, fruit.
Also put together little emergency packs - toothbrush and paste, wet wipes or flannel, small shower gel, shampoo, sanitary towels, deodorant, tissues. Baby wipes, cream, nappies. Bar of chocolate. This is what people needed in Cumbria and refuges were short of as people had to get out so quick.
Blankets, sleeping bags cushions and pillows. Clean, secondhand clothing put into sizes will help those organising donations.

[Dowser]

Oh flighty woman. Just so very sad. Your poor family.

Hope the levels have gone down today.

I heard something on the news last night that really made me prick up my ears. Not sure where it was ( but think it may have been York) the presenter mentioned something about having to open the floodgates.

I think it was because water was doing something to the machinery. Now my simple logic says that floodgates are meant to stop land and property from flooding.

So opening them means what they were meant to protect was going to get flooded.

This needs checking out. I definitely heard it.

[TheDrsDocMartens]

They opened the flood gates as water got into the control room which would have made things worse ( potentially) if water got into the system.

I read they also hadn't shut them in Carlisle when this all started this weekend. Locals had to chase around to get them shut.

[Dowser]

Thanks doc marten. I wasn't wrong then and found this, about 4 th article on page

Iwww.telegraph.co.uk/news/weather/12071249/UK-weather-floods-hit-north-as-rivers-burst-banks-live.html

It was interesting as one flooded out local said I thought we'd have time to save our belongings but the water came down that fast.

I don't live too far from York. I would willingly go and help and take stuff down but I honestly think I'd be more of a nuisance than a help. It's my favourite city and I'm just devastated at what has happened. I just feel helpless but I'm best letting the experts crack on and not get in their way.

[Dowser]

Seems like some angry residents are already asking the question

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3375775/Why-did-open-barrier-Anger-hundreds-homes-engulfed-York-city-left-exposed.html

[TheDrsDocMartens]

I love York too. We honeymooned there, I took a shine to the Merchants Hall and it was sad to see that under water.
Lots of places in Yorkshire/Lancashire/Wales under water that I know & love but I'm Cumbrian and feeling frustrated that this is the fourth time here and the government still isn't doing much about flood defences. The news yesterday was that the £40m offered to Cumbria is to be shared across all areas. I'm hoping that was a misunderstanding.

[AuntieStella]

Yes, the Foss Barrier failed. And the Environmental Agency has already started an investigation.

www.itv.com/news/calendar/2015-12-27/investigation-launched-after-river-foss-flood-barrier-fails/

[Dowser]

There's some explanations in the comments. Apparently the pumping station was built in an area that was liable to flooding.

If the power had gone when the levels dropped the barriers would have kept the water in a flooded area ie it would have remained flooded instead of draining away naturally.

Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't. Pun intended.

[Dowser]

Sad that the bbc had dropped Cumbria from its news bulletin just now.

( you must be fine then!)

[TheDrsDocMartens]

There's a few things in flood areas that shouldn't be going by recent news.

[Ditsy4]

Sky looks odd this morning think we're in for a bad day. "Trains may be disrupted"check out cumbria crack Facebook page! Still on flood alert here and more expected today/ tomorrow. Appleby sirens went off the other day ...again.

[Ninacarter77]

My elderly neighbours Christmas ruined-she flooded in 2009 and every time we get a heavy rainfall she fears the same. Sandbags out since Boxing day and homemade flood defences out.She hasn't slept a wink and despite DHs reassurances things look ok she is hugely stressed.

We are ok just now but surrounded by water and only one road in and out.
Further heavy rain forecast for Wednesday and gales.(Yorkshire) Can't get out with car luckily DH has 4x4 so we can ferry neighbours about and get supplies if needed- fear is the little road might collapse as it is getting a fair thrashing from the currents.

The fields I am looking out on to whilst typing this look like a beautiful lake with swans and ducks on them- except they are normally farmland and I am miles from watercourse!

Was in York last week and was really enjoying the city looking it's festive best.

Devastating -thoughts with everyone who is struggling.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

ditsy rainfall wise you will be fine today. Wednesday becomes more of a concern again, with gales tomorrow.

[FinestGrundyTurkey]

Well this is enlightening (& very very infuriating). Both pieces from early December, before the current flooding

The UK government was warned by its official climate change advisers in October that it needed to take action on the increasing number of homes at high risk of flooding but rejected the advice.

www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/09/cameron-government-rejected-flood-risk-warnings-from-climate-advisers

Also this:

The NAO also contradicted Cameron’s claim that his government was spending more than ever before on flood defences. Funding had fallen by 10% in real terms, said the NAO, when £270m of one-off emergency funding after the 2013-14 floods was excluded. Spending on maintenance had fallen by 6% in real terms in the five years of the coalition, the NAO said.
Flood defences are big ticket items and hard to fund when the nation’s finances are tight. But not finding the money is a clear false economy. The NAO report said every £1 spent on flood defences prevented almost £10 in damage. It noted that Cameron’s £270m bail-out was poor substitute for sustained spending: “Ad-hoc emergency spending is less good value than sustained maintenance.”

www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2015/dec/07/david-cameron-is-treating-the-symptoms-of-flooding-but-not-the-cause

[Shutthatdoor]

Flood alerts now in Midlands and SW to hit this pm.

[mckenzie]

Thank you for the links to the local charities. I've done my bit financially now but I still wish I could do more.
I'm putting my thinking hat on.

[calamityjam]

x2boys, thankyou, luckily we live high up a hill so luckily are ok however I am very concerned about the forecasted rain to come as we may well lose our bridge.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

met office warnings looks like the worst will hit Cumbria once again, but anywhere in the warning area should be paying attention.

[ohtheholidays]

I feel for all of you that have been affected it must be heart breaking.I really do wish our Goverments would get of they're arses and do something to make sure that there's plenty of protection in the future for all homes and businesses.I know some flood protection had been put in place but it obviously wasn't enough.

Were in the SE and about 7 years ago we had really bad flooding,the road we live in was like a river,all the schools and shops had to close,our car was damaged as were many of our friends and familys but it was still nowhere near as bad as what some people are having to live through now.

As soon as they started reporting about this lot of flooding I had a few sleepless nights worrying about 2 of my nieces and they're young familys they've moved closer to where some of the worst flooding is and we couldn't get hold of either of them for a couple of days but thankfuly for them it hasn't been to bad yet where they are.

I hope the floods are all over very soon for all of you that are affected.

[Dowser]

I saw this on my Facebook feed

m.youtube.com/watch?v=miP9rQKq6qY

I honestly can't imagine what you are going through.

I'm not in an affected area but I can hear the wind outside and I hope and pray that you who are affected stay safe and dry.

[DyslexicScientist]

I'm not sure if flood defences will work, or just create new problems elsewhere.

That's what sea defences often do.

They've build thousands of new homes on the flood plain where I live (somerset levels) but they've build them up so they won't flood, but other areas now will. Knock on effect.

If you live in a house prone to flooding your probably just have to change things to cope with it flooding.

[Ditsy4]

Running down the road this morning then relented for a couple of hours. Tonight is supposed to be worse. Daughter has left for home but trains are delayed so hope she gets their safely. She was hoping the bridge would be flooded and she could stay a few days until it was safer. She couldn't see her best friend on Boxing Day because she was on the other side of the bridge and only home for two days. They rarely see each other because they live the opposite ends of the UK since Uni :(
Hope no-one is flooded this time.