Those poor buggers who are suffering with flooding.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

It must be bad enough any time of year but it's awful that their Christmases have been ruined.

Thousands of them too

I just hope they can get back to relative normality soon?

It's frustrating knowing there's nothing we can do, afaik?

It's awful isn't it. Horrible time of year. I hope the local communities manage to come together enough to make it as enjoyable as possible.

I hope so too Sirzy.

I saw one guy and his wife speaking and they were so upbeat, a real inspiration. Have no heating. Only the hob was working so she said no roast just mash for dinner. So positive

I saw that last night. I guess that's the attitude you have to take really.

We all moan about little things, and big things. Doesn't mean we don't empathise with those who suffer.

I feel for those stuck in Gatwick too.

Yes I have been thinking of those without this Christmas. Must be dreadful. We are quite close to some but rather higher up so thankful for that.

I can't get over the
Gatwick situation - I can't believe there isn't some back up power.

I was wondering that too herminione.
Read about one couple who are going to be suing Easyjet for compensation. Not sure why a powercut due to flooding at Gatwick is Easyjet's fault though?

Would take an awful lot of back up power to be able to keep an airport safely operating though. Unfortunatly I think that was just one of those unavoidable things

Perhaps just enough back up power to have the toilets flushing?

And why haven't they sent people home?

Not sure how easy it was to get home? The Gatwick Express isn't running at the moment, and apparently there was a 4-hour wait for taxis. Also, maybe they were hoping they'd get the power back reasonably soon and those flights running again.

Power isn't still off at Gatwick is it?

My in laws, where we were yesterday are not flooded themselves but stranded as the river running alongside their house has broken its banks. When we were driving out last night I drove into a puddle which turned out to be over 2ft high and coming over the bonnet of the car. We were fucking terrifed and that was just driving through it. God knows how you feel when it's actually coming into your house. :(

There are due to be engineering works on the Gatwick line anyway between Christmas and NY.

The ongoing weather forecast is really quite worrying for those areas already affected. Another 25mm maybe tomorrow and the unsettled and at times very wet weather is set to continue.

Train to Gatwick advice

Flooding is terrible. Normality is 6 months away as a minimum. Poor poor sods.

It's so scary. I live high up so we don't get flooded but it can do close by. Really feel for those who are and the fact they're on tenderhooks wondering when it'll happen again

Tenterhooks! *

this has come quite close to us - huge power cuts just a few villages away (kent) and large areas of flooded land and villages with the sewers overflowing. our damaged few fence panels is nothing compared to the misery some are going through and the fact it will take so long to recover/repair etc. very sad.

I hear David Cameron just got what for, from a flood victim.

I have storm damage and can't get the insurance company to answer the phone. These flood victims must be in the same position, but in such horrible conditions...

Why is it David Cameron's fault?!

clam because the tabloid press has continued to do a rather impressive, though distressing job in 'educating' The Masses that everything is somebody's fault and failure can possibly lead to compensation? It is how the less educated are disenfranchised: they are taught to believe that Others will always look out for them and their needs, and should those Others fail, they can air how 'let down' they feel in said press. Thus they stand there being interviewed, in the glare of television lights, saying daft things and making themselves look like Outraged of Tunbridge Wells as they huff and puff about the more extreme effects of the deep Atlantic low pressure systems that sweep our land every winter.

I wonder how much extra on every air ticket everyone would be prepared to pay to ensure that 'back up generators' are always available, 24/7, in every airport just in case?

You're absolutely right Erebus. except for it being "disgusted" of TW, not "outraged."