WHERE’S BORIS? FAMILIES’ FURY
PM stays ‘in hiding’ as hundreds evacuated after deluge leaves streets under water
BORIS Johnson was accused of going into hiding yesterday as large parts of the country struggled with unprecedented flooding.
As hundreds of families were evacuated from their homes in the aftermath of Storm Dennis, the Prime Minister remained holed up at a grace and favour mansion in Kent.
Devastated homeowners yesterday asked why he was not doing more, while Labour called the Government’s response a ‘disgrace’.
After more than a month’s rain fell in 48 hours at the weekend, forecasters yesterday predicted more this week for areas where the ground is already soaked.
It came as the storm’s death toll rose to five after police said a woman swept away by floodwater in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, was presumed dead.
Officials confirmed yesterday that 420 houses have been flooded across the country and that this is expected to rise.
There has been widespread transport chaos with roads and rail lines shut by flooding and fallen trees, and 90 flights were cancelled at Heathrow. The warning of ‘significant’ rainfall this week raises the prospect of more rivers bursting their banks, with severe flood warnings in place across Herefordshire and Worcestershire last night.
The River Wye yesterday rose to its highest levels since records began 200 years ago, flooding streets in Hereford as it burst its banks in spectacular style.
Water more than 6ft deep in places stretched almost a quarter of a mile from the usual riverside in the city centre, leading to dozens of evacuations.
Some residents in Upton upon Severn and Uckinghall, Worcestershire, were told to leave their homes due to rising river levels on the Severn.
Major clear-up operations were
‘Our flood defences are working’
taking place in flooded areas of South Wales including Nantgarw, Pontypridd and Crickhowell, which were badly hit on Sunday.
Despite the heavy toll, the Prime Minister did not call a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee yesterday.
Mr Johnson twice visited areas that were hit by bad weather during the general election campaign but yesterday he was being updated on developments while working from Chevening, a governmentowned mansion in Kent, during the parliamentary recess.
Last night a No 10 source said the Prime Minister was concerned that if he took part in a ‘PR stunt’ in flood-hit areas, he would get in the way, making it harder for people to receive the help they need.
Labour leadership frontrunner Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘This is an appalling decision. I would urge the Prime Minister to reconsider and give communities the support they need.’
Labour’s environment spokesman Luke Pollard said: ‘Why has Boris Johnson not called a Cobra meeting? It’s time for a proper Government response.’ It is understood that Prince Charles is planning to visit flooded areas in the coming days.
The new Environment Secretary George Eustice said Mr Johnson ‘has tasked me with leading on this issue’ and insisted that the Government had a ‘firm grip’.
He added: ‘It’s a very difficult situation with widespread flood alerts but our flood defences are working as intended.’
Environment Agency boss Sir James Bevan said: ‘We can never protect every single household against flooding but we can and do protect most communities most of the time. You can never make the country flood-proof.’
The agency said 1,000 staff have been on duty, deploying 90 pumps and 5km of flood barriers.
Hundreds of flood warnings remained in place last night after a record number were issued for England on Sunday, while parts of the country were battered by winds of up to 90mph.
Families in Pontypridd, which
faced severe flooding after the river Taff burst its banks, turned their anger on politicians, suggesting the Prime Minister was in hiding.
Museum worker robin Williams, 62, said: ‘Where’s Boris? Where’s the help?’
Tracey Waites added: ‘ We haven’t seen anyone from the Government or anyone from the council. We’ve heard nothing from anyone.’
The first minister of Wales Mark Drakeford said severe flooding was ‘going to be more common’ and promised to funnel money to local authorities.
The chaos was caused by a ‘bomb cyclone’, or rapid cyclogenesis, which happens when the pressure in a storm drops very quickly. It came with the ground saturated in many areas by Storm Ciara, which flooded 800 properties last week.
Whole villages remained cut off in Shropshire last night and dozens of roads were shut as Shrewsbury was swamped in murky water. In Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, residents were still being rescued by boat from around 130 homes yesterday after an all-night operation.
A total of six severe flood warnings – meaning there is a ‘danger to life’ – remained in place yesterday evening across the river Wye, river Severn and river Lugg. A further 194 flood warnings were in place, requiring immediate action, as well as 241 flood alerts.
HE MAY not be able to assuage all their misery, but Boris Johnson could show he cares by visiting householders flooded out by the weekend storms.
Sending Environment Secretary George Eustice was a poor substitute. While people were baling slimy mud out of living rooms, all he could say was that climate change was to blame and we’d just have to live with it. Could he have been more crass?
What flood victims want to hear is the Prime Minister sympathising personally with their plight – and pledging action to stop it happening again.
So come on Boris. Get your waders on and get out there.