http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26153889

Can any of the elder members on here recall flooding in the UK that beats what we are seeing now? Also the winds are pretty relentless at the mo. Albeit Hurricane Michael Fish no doubt has the edge there.

It's the worst floods I have ever heard of here but at only 30, I can't claim recollection as far back as some of you guys. Any thoughts on these floods being the worst? LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I don't recall floods as bad, though my memory recalls been on our boat on Windermere in torrential rain and the tail end of a hurricane came our way, took the boat to moor on a buoy in the shelter of a island, we rocked, bounced and spun around all night, the lake rose and some un manned boats capsized due to not having enough slack on the mooring ropes

Ridley Scott is a great fan of Michael Fish.
Why: Answer on a post card or a PM in one word only.

So the question is which film director will do an RS with the tempest now lashing the Isle of Britain?

And Doc I do remember in my Derbyshire childhood flooding as devastating in the county as that which you are seeing on the Somerset Levels or indeed along the banks of the Thames. But the Norfolk flooding was I believe to have been the most devastating not only for hectares and property underwater but also the loss of lives.

Canvey Island, Essex. 1953. 58 people died. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Boscastle 2004

1953 floods down the east coast ended with approx 307 deaths.

Do you think there would be more deaths today without the advancement of forecasting and technology with which to communicate weather warnings to folks and to communicate generally?

Boscastle 2004 is more recent for sure and severe but wasn't that hard hitting but short lived? (Relatively speaking) Some folks have been out of their flooded homes since Christmas  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Absolutely Wizking
And it should be remembered that those deaths were caused not by the rain but by the North Sea breaking across Norfolk and Lincolnshire. Sea defences were very rudimentary in '53.

And just an observation re the present tempest. If the storms, wind and rain continue as some are forecasting for possibly the next to 2 to 3 weeks, then it is quiet possible that the devastation and loss of life in '53 may be contested. I hope not for all those who are living in today's high risk areas.

Just watching the news. At the same time as the 1953 Canvey floods, over 2000 died in the Netherlands.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Check this out: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26150788

One man has sadly died tonight LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

There is a difference between flash flooding and sustained rain flooding. Boscastle, Lynmouth etc. were incidents caused by sudden downpours rushing water down from the hills. The current problems are down to extended periods of rainfall causing the land to become sodden, not able to absorb the water and hence the rivers becoming overfull. In the later case I believe it is nationally the worst for some 100 years. Still, never mind, I expect there will be a hosepipe ban before long! John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

Funny ... I said the same about a drought this year last night... I think in getting too synical in my old age.

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

Funny you mention the hosepipe ban. When we had the drought a few years back, I remember the government bringing on a climate change specialist to explain that drier conditions will now become the norm and that we will have to adapt the way we use water to take this into account (and obviously you will be taxed accordingly with your unclean cars for causing this).
Now, last week, another government climate change specialist was explaining how wetter weather is now to be expected and that flooding will become the norm due to climate change!!!!!