Friday, 31 January 2014

A County Under Water

It's been a wet and windy January here in Somerset.  The light levels have been so bad over the past few weeks - the rain simply has no let up.  We do make the most of the dry spells but it is beginning to really wear on us all now.  The sea front is just a few miles away from us and the Council made a huge investment in the flood and sea defences over the past 5 years and it is apparent that these have really saved much of the town.
Somerset floods latest: Thousands saved thanks to Weston's £29 million sea defences
Picture courtesy of Cheddar Gazette
We live high up on a hill and are not in danger of flooding but the surrounding roads are failing to drain the water that runs off from the already water logged fields - these floods alone cover 44 square miles of Somerset.  This view can be seen from a hilltop which we pass on the school run.


 

We live in a farming area with lots of arable crops and animal stock being the core of the local business.  It must be such a struggle for the farmers in these weather conditions where the rain has been relentless. 

 

The picture below is just stunning I think visually but really highlights the extent of the flooding outside the River Tones banks - you can see how the river normally flows and undulates through the landscape.

 

I really feel for the villages that are flooded and isolated by the water on the levels - some of which have been flooded since Christmas.  It seems that flood risk is an ever increasing problem here in the UK and the weather does seem more extreme.  Currently the main way people get around or are rescued from their homes in these conditions is by boat.  Our support services are doing amazing work - often risking their own lives in difficult conditions.  We are so fortunate to have such good emergency services and to have a wealth of wonderful volunteers but of course this has limited impact on those affected.  My heart goes out to all of those that are flooded (or who live in fear of flood) across the county.  

 
I hope the water ebbs soon for those in danger and that the Army (who have been drafted in this past few days to help with the situation) are able to improve things drastically for those people. 
 
 
Yet more rain is forecast again this weekend which will fall on already saturated or flooded land.  There are flood warnings across much of the South West of England.  The resilience of those people affected is staggering and I send positive thoughts to all those struggling in these conditions this winter.
 
The kids and I hope to travel down to Cornwall this weekend to visit my Mum so I hope the weather improves for our journey too.  I hope to post about my giveaway early tomorrow before I leave but if I don't manage it - I'll post it on Tuesday!!
 
Have a good weekend,
J9 x 
Posted by at
Labels:

15 comments:

  1. jinxxxygirl31 January 2014 at 09:35

    And here i sit in California and we are having the worst drought in its history! Please send rain! Please! :) I do feel for all those people. Too much is as bad as too little..... Lets hope weather patterns shift soon. Hugs! deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J9sHappiness31 January 2014 at 23:18

      Oh Goodness. If only we could share it all around! I agree - too little is as bad as too much. Doing a rain dance for you ;0) J9 x

      Delete
  2. Amy at love made my home31 January 2014 at 11:17

    I hope that your journey is a good one, and that you don't get too rained on. It is so horrible for the people of the Somerset Levels, we can only hope that the waters recede soon. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J9sHappiness31 January 2014 at 23:19

      Thank you Amy! As for the Levels, so many people have been drafted in I'm sure they'll succeed in pumping the water out gradually. It's definitely exacerbated by the continuing conditions though! J9 x

      Delete
  3. Gilly Tee31 January 2014 at 15:02

    I hope your journey to cornwall is a safe one and you have a good time.
    Gillx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J9sHappiness31 January 2014 at 23:20

      Thanks Gill! My mum phoned me at half 6 this morning (I was sleeping!) to tell me it was snowing on the moors. Thanks Mum. We're going down anyway - our trip at new year was cancelled so we'll just take it slow today! J9 x

      Delete
  4. Thistle Cove Farm31 January 2014 at 17:44

    my heart really goes out to the farmers...then to everyone else...food supply is going to be short in the months to come. visiting via Vicki's GYBP and am so sorry to read about the flooding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J9sHappiness31 January 2014 at 23:22

      Hello!! And yes, I think you're right - fresh food is going to be an issue and therefore affordability! Hope all is good with you, J9 x

      Delete
  5. Cheryl @ TFD31 January 2014 at 19:33

    The weather is just crazy in so many places right now. Too much rain, not enough, freezing temperatures, etc. It is certainly devastating to have this much flooding, it is terrible for the farmers and for everyone really. I hope the rains end soon and the drying out process begins.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J9sHappiness31 January 2014 at 23:23

      Yes, it is a little frightening when you consider the global weather conditions. I guess the levels have always been a flood plain and they have been encroached on by development but still, this is much more extreme than in previous years. Hope it sorts itself out soon! J9 x

      Delete
  6. Wendy31 January 2014 at 23:22

    my heart goes out to all those who are affected by the flood you are experiencing...so sad to see all that water inland...those waves are really rough looking in the pic...I will be sending up a prayer for the rain to stop and the flood waters to recede.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J9sHappiness31 January 2014 at 23:25

      Bless you Wendy. When I was searching for better pictures than my own yesterday it did really show the extent of it. The aerial photos especially. Fingers crossed we'll have a drier February! J9 x

      Delete
  7. Jennifer Hays2 February 2014 at 08:34

    Gosh, I really hope it dries out soon. This rain you've had seems unbelievable.

    ReplyDelete
  8. JoKnows3 February 2014 at 13:28

    I guess I shouldn't complain so much about the abundance of snow around here! What a shame the farmers (and homeowners) are going through that. I hope it dries up soon for you all!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wendy7 February 2014 at 02:55

    it's really quite shocking all these images of the flood. I live in the Midlands and have had to make a detour to work a few times to avoid a flooded road, but that's the extent of it. I can't imagine what it would be like to be flooded out of your house.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)