Cumbria Floods: Severe Flooding in Cumbria,England: One in a Thousand Years occurrence

On the 20th November 2009 Cumbria in the North West of England was hit by severe rain. More than 314mm of rain fell in 24 hours. This fell onto ground that was already waterlogged.

It was one of those once in a hundred year occurrences but has since been said to be more like once in a thousand years.

The Lake District is well used to rain but nothing could have prepared the residents of areas, such as Cockermouth, for the deluge that was to descend on them. As it is November flooding is not unknown to the UK but it was the scale of the flooding.

The weather has been unseasonably warm and once again I must ask myself if this deluge was down to an act of God, global warming, climate change.or was just one of those things.

As the rivers above towns swelled and flooded over the banks those who lived below stood little chance of not being flooded. Homes and businesses were swept away by fierce currents. These currents were so strong that 4 bridges have collapsed, one taking with it a policeman who was standing guard to prevent access by others.

Even by Sunday 22nd November the situation was dire. More bridges look set to fall and one has sunk over a foot. This has left some communities cut off with no access to shops and the like.

Doctors are worried over the health of some that are virtually stranded especially as their medication runs out.

Having endured some flooding two years ago I know all too well how long it will be before things are back to normal for the residents. However our flooding pales by comparison.

The Government has pledged aid but this community will need much more help. We are just starting to see the damage in all its glory and it is vast.

As usual the area has been swamped with sightseers who have hampered the rescue operations. I can't believe some people, can you?

Obviously locals are demanding that the environmental agencies act now to prevent further episodes of sever flooding. However as they have already said they cannot stop such weather as this. They are therefore stating that what is needed is fast and accurate rescue operations and procedures in place for the restoration of homes, villages, towns and cities afterward.

It is frightening to think of the speed that this water took hold. For those who disbelieve claims about climate change and global warming they need to take heed. I have never seen or heard of so many weather and climate issues in all of my 57 years, as I have in the last couple of years.