Here comes the snow!
BRITS SHOW TRUE GRIT:
PARTS of Britain battered by severe flooding face more torrential rain hell in the coming days while other areas suffered heavy snowfalls.
The Environment Agency says more wet weather over the next 48 hours could bring “severe” flooding to places already washed out by rising waters.
Forty-five flood warnings are in place across England, as well as 122 flood alerts.
Wendlebury in Oxfordshire was under water when the nearby brook burst its banks following heavy rain earlier this week.
And 38 pumps are on site in South Yorkshire to remove 50million litres of water per hour to protect homes and businesses.
Risk
Pumps set up around the village of Fishlake have already removed 1.25million tonnes of water in the past 24 hours, reducing water levels from 6ft 6in to 1ft.
Met Office experts also warned there could be a danger to life in parts of the East Midlands and Yorkshire as more rain is forecast to fall on the drenched region.
The EA says since terrible weather began last Thursday, around 14,400 properties had been protected by flood defences, including 5,000 in South Yorkshire.
Kate Marks, the Environment Agency’s flood duty manager, said: “Heavy rain today is expected to cause river and surface water flooding across parts of England, continuing into tomorrow in some areas, as well as potentially contributing to ongoing flood impacts in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
“Today we ask them to please remain vigilant and take steps to prepare for flooding by checking their flood risk regularly.”
Elsewhere, homeowners yesterday woke up to find snow in Gloucestershire, Somerset,
Wiltshire and south Wales. Snow and flooding closed schools and roads, and also blocked rail lines close to the areas affected.
The racing at Cheltenham, Glos, has been abandoned today.
Gloucestershire police tweeted: “We have had reports of light snow up on the hills. The rain has also been heavy overnight. Please bear this in mind when travelling in to work.”
FLOOD victims with lives in tatters deserve more from dithering politicians.
They swan around in waders with sympathetic frowns etched on their faces.
But then they jump back in their chauffeur-driven cars and head home to London.
The people don’t need their empty words.
They need action.
Money can never buy back much of what’s been destroyed.
Treasured possessions are floating around in murky waters as unclear as the future for these poor people.
But cash can certainly make a hell of a difference.
It is amazing how the Government magics money from the woodwork when wooing voters.
Now is the time to spend some. The victims need shelter, clothes and toiletries.
They need to rebuild their lives. Start treating it like it is – a national emergency.
Put it at the top of the agenda instead of your electioneering.