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11 Feb 2014

Lights out on flooded Britain as more storms move in

As a power cut hits flood-stricken Datchet, David Cameron promises that money is no object in tackling the crisis. But could its scale have been averted by spending more before now?

– The number of people forced to flee home because of flooding has risen to 1,000 in the south west and Thames Valley, since January,
– David Cameron has warned it will take time before things get “back to normal,”
– Around 400 weather warnings remain in place across England, including 16 severe warnings,
– 1,650 troops have been put on standby to help flood-ravaged communities,
– The next #UKstorm is due to strike on Wednesday, writes Weather Presenter Liam Dutton.

Around 1,650 members of the army have been put on standby to help communities wrecked by flooding, as David Cameron told the public: “we’re in for a long haul.”

In Berkshire and Surrey, and in the Somerset Levels, 16 severe flood warnings remained in place with water levels showing no signs of receding.

What will it take for you to understand we are seriously in need? Volunteer flood warden to Philip Hammond

More than 70 people were evacuated from their homes in the Thames Valley on Monday night after the river burst its banks west of London, tipping the number over the 1,000 mark since the end of January.

The Environment Agency (EA) has warned that hundreds more properties near the River Thames could be flooded over the next two or three days amid forecasts of more rain and strong winds. The Met Office has warned of futher rain moving east, with sleet and snow expected in some areas towards the evening.

The prime minister was speaking while on a tour of the south west, where many homes have been flooded and the train route connecting Cornwall with the rest of the country has collapsed.

“We have to recognise it’s going to take time before we get things back to normal,” he said. “We’re in for a long haul, but the Government will do everything we can to coordinate the nation’s resources.

“If money needs to be spent, it will be spent; if resources are required, we will provide them; if the military can help, they will be there. We must do everything, but it’s going to take time to put these things right.”

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles told MPs there was a high risk that the River Severn and River Wye would also break their banks, further stretching resources.

Read more: Is London in danger?

A family is evacuated by boat as the water keeps rising in Wraysbury

A family is evacuated by boat as the water keeps rising in Wraysbury

Travel delays

Commuters had to face another day of delays on the rail networks. South West Trains, Southeastern and Southern were operating heavily-curtailed services. They are expected to check their journey before setting off.

There was also major disruption to CrossCountry services between Oxford and Didcot Parkway, Bridgwater and Taunton, and Taunton and Plymouth/Penzance.

First Great Western said it would only be able to run four trains an hour between Reading and London Paddington, because of flooding near Maidenhead.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said special efforts were being made to protect vital infrastructure from the floods in order to minimise disruption. But officials have predicted hundreds more homes will be flooded over the coming days and said that restoring the country’s battered rail network could take months.

Mum and baby are evacuated from their home in Wraysbury, west of London. (G)

Mum and baby are evacuated from their home in Wraysbury, west of London.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond was out in his wellies on Tuesday, paying a visit to the flooded village of Wraysbury. But the media opportunity turned into a PR nightmare, after a volunteer flood warden took him to task live on telelvision.

“You don’t take us seriously, gold command don’t take us seriously, what will it take for you to understand we are seriously in need?,” said Su Burrows. “Do I need to take you right down to the end where we need people, do I need to do that? I am asking you, what do we need to do to tell you, to make you understand that we need the army here?”

After the confrontation, Mr Hammond took Ms Burrows to meet with officials who had been put in charge of the flooding and its attempted damage limitation.

Political row

Efforts to deal with the flooding have been overshadowed by a clash between ministers and the EA, after Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said government should not have relied on the EA’s advice. Lord Smith, EA chairman, responded saying that his staff knew “100 times” more about flooding than ministers, and said that the floods were being used as “political football.

The prime minister, on a visit to Chesil Beach on Monday, praised the work of the EA but gave only limited support to its under-fire chairman Lord Smith, saying “this isn’t the time for a change in personnel, this is the time for getting on, everyone has to get on with the job they are doing”.

Thereâ??ll be no sitting on this Bromwich Parade park bench on the banks of the River Severn, Worcester. (G)

Photo: There’ll be no sitting on this Bromwich Parade park bench on the banks of the River Severn, Worcester.

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