To think the next time we get a decent bout of rain everywhere will flood?

[RudolphTheReindeer]

Even just watering my garden, which I do every day/every other day with just a watering can, the water just sits on top for ages before sinking in. I think when we have a proper downpour everywhere will flood as the ground is so dry it won't soak it up quickly enough.

That is exactly what will happen.
I can't wait for it though.

Yup. Joys of climate change. Many factors interact to make things worse. Then there's tipping points.

You need to aerate (I know that’s spelt wrong) your lawn. Get a garden fork and go up and down your lawn poking holes in the grass. It will help the water drain away faster when it does eventually rain, rather than everything getting waterlogged.

It's already happened in some places. I'm really looking forward to a good downpour.

Yep, that’s exactly what will happen.

What we need is very small amounts of rain say every night or every other night over a few days and then a huge downpour.

Water it lightly, then water it properly 15 minutes later. Don't water grass though, grass will be fine as will most established plants. Mulch everything and just water things that have shallow roots or need a lot of water - hydrangeas or runner beans for example. Most things should be looking deeper for water not relying on a bit of surface water from a watering can.

That’s the kind of thing that should be on weather forecast or news now

It certainly will here in Glastonbury. A few weeks ago the whole town flooded. Not my house. Ive always known about the floods here so I live on a big hill.

How do people not already know this stuff??

Also, 15 minutes into a downpour the ground will be softening.

What happens in a rainstorm is different to what happens with a hose/watering can

I think it’s because people live in such built up areas now. Fields and gardens that used to soak up rainwater have either been concreted over or covered in plastic. Gardening isn’t as popular as it used to be and if you’re not a gardener, you’re unlikely to have the tools. And so the knowledge isn’t passed from parent to child.

I think you are being a tad unreasonable.

If the water companies spent money on ensuring the drains and floodways and sewers are all able to cope with a sudden prolonged downpour there would be less to go round in bonuses.

It happened in 1976. I remember my dad wading out to the manhole cover in our yard and propping it open so the kitchen didn’t flood.