I know those of you that are effected will be too busy to be playing on your PC. But I hope everyone is safe. I have never seen anything like it in major cities, usually a countryside thing. I usually gloat about our weather here, but not today eh. Some say it is our own fault, with climate change etc, but the Government cutting local councils to the bone as not helped. Just stay safe.
The government spent millions on flood defences for the Carlisle area but there was just too much water. Unprecedented rainfall is, by definition, not predictable. BIL and SIL live just below the crest of a hill near Carnforth and had their garage flooded just by excess rain and ground water that couldn't soak or drain away. fortunately their living space is one storey higher but they had electricity supply problems for days because the sub station was flooded.
However, I do think local and central government now need to take a serious look at planning permissions given to build on known flood plains and on the kinds of development allowed near rivers and the kind of precautions needed to protect vital resources such as power and water supplies and sewer systems. The Dutch have much to teach about how to build and make homes and businesses safe in low lying, flood risk areas.
It should not come as a surprise that rivers in big flat valleys "escape" when carrying a peakload. They have previously produced those valleys when they were carrying more water,it may have been before civilisation but Nature does not forget. Insurance will become very expensive with such losses.Maybe those choosing to live in such a location should change their aspirations, discard chipboard kitchens and fabric carpets etc. A new style of furnishing would give them more chance of cutting their losses.Maybe kitchens could be brick built units with stainless steel doors. Stone flooring. Houses could be fitted with flood doors.A warning siren could be utilised. The unworked could be conscriptedX, volounteered, to create additional drainage channels, clean existing waterways and "re-wild" upland areas to slow run-off. I do sympathise with all those who have to face such disruption, I had this experience in 2013 when my business premises caught 22" of immersion, took 4 months to sort out, and could face the same with 2 days heavy rainfall.
It's worse tha we've ever seen it here in Tadcaster and we've lived here nearly 30 years! And it's likely to get worse tomorrow as the water comes down from the dales. Luckily we live on a hill but feel for the shopkeepers in town and those who live near the river.