UK Floods, panic ensues

Bob_the_Saver

Davesnave wrote: »

If you remember, a few years back, we had severe flooding in the lower Severn valley and many people had to rely on water bowsers for safe drinking water.

I seem to recall that emergency water in the supermarkets disappeared in hours and some helpful souls drained the bowsers or peed in them.

Does that answer your question? [/QUO


Why didn't they just raid their wine cellar to drink (obviously not for the lavatory).

MegaMiniMouse

vivatifosi wrote: »

I'd argue there are four things that have been an issue in Pakistan. One of these is the extent of flooding, which is gargantuan, but the others would make the same thing happening in the UK, while awful, much bearable.

The first of these is that the parts first hit by the flood (its the same with the flooding and mudslides in Tibet) is that they are so remote. There is nowhere in the UK - floods or no floods - that inaccessible.

The second is that the response on the part of the government has been relatively poor. Not as bad as Haiti post-earthquake but poor nevertheless. I'd like to think if something similar happened in the UK, EU and NATO resources would be forthcoming, though that would depend on what is happening elsewhere in Europe, as the Netherlands would be thumped by a similar level of flooding (as cepheus's maps show if you go pan over).

The third is that houses here are better built and are more likely to be multistorey, so while people may lose much of the functionality of their house, they would generally be able to escape to higher floors (or even into lofts as happened in Katrina). There are other things we'd take for granted. I'd be able to drain down my tank without it refilling, giving me a form of drinkable water even if the local supply became contaminated. People without running water or with a rudimentary supply don't have the same luxuries, hence cholera is raising its ugly head.

The fourth is that poverty is not as endemic here. If you are poor in Pakistan and lose your house, you end up giving birth on railway platforms, or sleeping on the side of the main road (as the news storeys have shown). If you're poor in the UK, there's a good chance that the state will at least try and help you, even if you end up sleeping on the floor of a church hall miles away, you'll likely have better shelter. Starvation is less likely to result also.

It's totally unfair, but I can't see any situation under which the UK could be as badly affected.

You make the assumption that 'this will never happen to us' - but maybe it won't be a flood, maybe it'll be a bomb, or a disease...

You make the assumption that nature's forces can be contained, and so far, (just...), that has been true, but we come ever closer to defeat...

vivatifosi

MegaMiniMouse wrote: »

You make the assumption that 'this will never happen to us' - but maybe it won't be a flood, maybe it'll be a bomb, or a disease...

No I don't, I do however believe that we'll be better placed than a developing country in terms of how we would handle a natural disaster on any scale because we have more resources.

MegaMiniMouse

vivatifosi wrote: »

No I don't, I do however believe that we'll be better placed than a developing country in terms of how we would handle a natural disaster on any scale because we have more resources.

Does our ability to handle a 'natural' disaster increase at the same rate as our ability to handle an 'economic' disaster decreases?

Cleaver

MegaMiniMouse wrote: »

Does our ability to handle a 'natural' disaster increase at the same rate as our ability to handle an 'economic' disaster decreases?

Does your ability to make sense decrease at the same rate as the length of this thread increases?

MegaMiniMouse

Cleaver wrote: »

Does your ability to make sense decrease at the same rate as the length of this thread increases?

It's a good question! I have previously proposed a limit of something like 8-10 posts on any given thread...

x

michaels

I don't think you are allowed to use that word - I would edit quickly unless you want to be ppr'd (again?)

MegaMiniMouse wrote: »

Problem solved - thanks to the miracle of civilisation (what a pity the p***s are so uncivilised..)

dopester

Cleaver wrote: »

Dunno about anyone else, but dopester gave me a key to his nuclear fall out shelter. Hope it's waterproof.

Hi Cleaver. It seems like you were away from MSE for quite some time. Good to see you posting again.

There was some serious rainfall the other day. A 2-3 hour downpour. Think your area might have taken some of it too.

I was at a family member's house, watching from the window as the big rain drops impacted hard on the surface. Then had the presence of mind to check the rear of their property.

A drain cover at the rear had blocked up with debris carried by the flowing water, making it even harder for the water to flow away, and the buildup flooded their garage (first time that has ever happened for them). I had to nip out in the storm, getting soaked, and cleared the debris from the cover.

Check out how it flooded in Cheadle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-10963039

michaels

I'm not sure you are correct - look how much of the country shut down with the fuel drivers strike / blockade.

Imagine if the water went off then the electric went off - very quickly we would have no clue what was happening and peope would panic, supermarkets looted etc.

vivatifosi wrote: »

I'd argue there are four things that have been an issue in Pakistan. One of these is the extent of flooding, which is gargantuan, but the others would make the same thing happening in the UK, while awful, much bearable.

The first of these is that the parts first hit by the flood (its the same with the flooding and mudslides in Tibet) is that they are so remote. There is nowhere in the UK - floods or no floods - that inaccessible.

The second is that the response on the part of the government has been relatively poor. Not as bad as Haiti post-earthquake but poor nevertheless. I'd like to think if something similar happened in the UK, EU and NATO resources would be forthcoming, though that would depend on what is happening elsewhere in Europe, as the Netherlands would be thumped by a similar level of flooding (as cepheus's maps show if you go pan over).

The third is that houses here are better built and are more likely to be multistorey, so while people may lose much of the functionality of their house, they would generally be able to escape to higher floors (or even into lofts as happened in Katrina). There are other things we'd take for granted. I'd be able to drain down my tank without it refilling, giving me a form of drinkable water even if the local supply became contaminated. People without running water or with a rudimentary supply don't have the same luxuries, hence cholera is raising its ugly head.

The fourth is that poverty is not as endemic here. If you are poor in Pakistan and lose your house, you end up giving birth on railway platforms, or sleeping on the side of the main road (as the news storeys have shown). If you're poor in the UK, there's a good chance that the state will at least try and help you, even if you end up sleeping on the floor of a church hall miles away, you'll likely have better shelter. Starvation is less likely to result also.

It's totally unfair, but I can't see any situation under which the UK could be as badly affected.

Cleaver

dopester wrote: »

Hi Cleaver. It seems like you were away from MSE for quite some time. Good to see you posting again.

Thanks.

dopester wrote: »

There was some serious rainfall the other day. A 2-3 hour downpour. Think your area might have taken some of it too.

I was at a family member's house, watching from the window as the big rain drops impacted hard on the surface. Then had the presence of mind to check the rear of their property.

A drain cover at the rear had blocked up with debris carried by the flowing water, making it even harder for the water to flow away, and the buildup flooded their garage (first time that has ever happened for them). I had to nip out in the storm, getting soaked, and cleared the debris from the cover.

Check out how it flooded in Cheadle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-10963039

I was with a supplier of ours on that day in Liverpool and my wife sent me a text with "Oh my god, have you seen the weather?". I looked out the window and it was lovely sunshine in scouse-land. Driving back down the M62 and it suddenly changed and by the time I got home you could have swam down our road.

I love being indoors when it is tipping it down like that. I think it's a childhood thing really, you feel like a big kid just watching the rain pour down. Didn't realise it was so bad in some areas though - that's when it becomes not so thrilling.