Storms Bring Flooding to UK
The south coast has been hit by flooding following a storm last week that unleashed heavy rain, strong winds and more snow.
Last week the number of emergency calls and school closures was through the roof, and totally unexpected. Many were left stranded and without power to homes.
Snapshot of last week:
250 emergency calls to Essex Police
160 fire and rescue callouts, West Sussex
70 fire and rescue callouts, East Sussex
52 Gloucestershire schools closed
4.7in (12cm) of snow in Bristol
2.3in (6cm) of rain in Scilly Isles
50mph winds in coastal areas
Scotland temperatures fell to -14C
140 homes in Gloucester were without electricity for almost 2 days following the extreme weather conditions and over 61 flood warnings were still in place after snow wept the country.
A flurry of flood related calls were made to the emergency services as water levels continued to rise. Thankfully, the worst weather of 2009 was fleeting in it's stay.
The flooding was caused by a combination of heavy rain, snow melting and tide locking of rivers created high tide.
The Environment Agency had issued more than 300 flood warnings at the height of the appalling weather and councils were out in force to salt roads and prevent any more accidents.
The Thames barrier closed for several hours too in an attempt to protect the city from flooding, which was the first time since last March.
Many roads were closed in and around Oxfordshire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Hampshire and Sussex. The government was asked to make a statement on the country's flooding and why so many homes were under water, despite the recent flood warning facility.
Some areas of the country were unlucky enough to receive their monthly average rainfall in just 24 hours. Many schools were closed for the first time in years and more than 20 people were rescued from flooding.
As we count the cost of yet more damage caused by natural occurrences, we ask are the government doing enough to combat the rising water table and protect us in our homes.
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