New storm to hit UK tonight.
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23393)
United Kingdom
December 29, 2015 4:08pm CST
A new storm (Named FRANK) that has been brewing in the atlantic is due to hit Ireland, Wales, North England and Scotland tonight and tomorrow. I have just seen a news report where it says that one place has received 1 meter of rain (Nearly 3 foot) in the past month.
This is almost double the previous highest amount of rainfall and it seems a lot more rain is on its way in this storm.
The City of Leeds in Yorkshire currently looks like it could be the new Venice of the North. Many roads are flooded including houses shops and also the Norvic centre.
Four serious 'risk to life' flood alerts and 47 flood alerts are in place tonight. The army have been helping build flood defences filling sandbags. Photos of the soldier absolutely exhausted have been shown on the BBC. Bridges have collapsed under the force of the flooding and families have been ordered to leave their homes because it is so dangerous. Many people have been without electricity or gas for days.
This really is a national disaster for those living in the affected areas. Some are angry that billions of pounds have been sent in foreign aid to other countries to cope with floods but not enough has been spent by our government on flood defences and river dredging over the past few years.
My heart bleeds for the poor people affected by these floods. It must be horrendous. I send my prayers and thoughts to those affected and hope that the rains ease up for a while.
13 people like this
13 responses
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
29 Dec 15
We have similar problems in the US. We spend small fortunes overseas, but ignore our own infrastructure. This is absurd. Most countries are guilty of this. We do not plan ahead, but whine when disaster strikes.
Heavy rain is forecast to fall for six days next week where I live. I wonder how many people will be prepared. I checked my pantry and saw I was low on fresh fruit, so I went to the market. Others will do so while the streets are flooded and cause traffic accidents. We have very good weather predictions here. There is no excuse.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Dec 15
Well yes but here the daft government have cut back and cut back on river dredging which means the water has to go somewhere! They have even built new homes on the flood plains. Even our ancestors knew not to build on the flood plains but of course our degree laden planners and architects are looking for a quick buck! (Or that should be pound in our case)
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace OH no not here. If you are stupid enough not to insure your property you are very much on your own. Why should we pay out for people who are too tight to insure their homes.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
30 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 They allow people to build in flood plains here too. Then the govt gives them loans to rebuild after their hones are destroyed in floods. So dumb!
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (98826)
• India
30 Dec 15
I sincerely believe in charity begins at home. First, we have to be self sufficient. We can't be drowning and trying to help others who are drowning. That is double jeopardy ..guaranteed to bring tragic end to both. Yeah...I hate it when foreign aid comes here. You see, it gets into pockets of some politicians. Never reaches the intended. Local funds, there is accountability. You send the aid, do you ask for audit? As simple as that.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (98826)
• India
30 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 ..It never reaches because you all are not doing audit. Even when you all do audit, you may be thinking of water bottle whereas we get locally purified water. Water bottle may cost you in your world 1 pound sterling, out here, local water costs merely 1/10th of that. Effectively, you all create a lot of black money with charities without intending to do so. That gets into wrong businesses and we suffer. You all also suffer for being good at heart. I am not sure god wanted both to suffer for no fault of theirs.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Dec 15
Corruption in foreign countries is one of the biggest annoying things for our people. I am not saying that our country is pure and clear of corruption. I wish our government had taken note of your prime minister's request that we should no longer send money to India as it is no longer needed. I agree that charity begins at home but at the same time it is good to help others as long as it actually gets to those who need it.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
31 Dec 15
@vandana7 You are a very astute and clever woman. Why have you never thought of going into Politics. You would do well to champion women's rights, stand up for the poor and abused. You would be a fantastic role model.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
29 Dec 15
It really is weird and bizarre weather all round. My thoughts go out to all the people caught in this disasterous situation.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Dec 15
It is not where I live Maria it is in the North of England and Scotland. Ireland is affected too and Wales. I live nearer London.
1 person likes this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
30 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 Aww good thank god, but still bad for all the folks it is affecting.
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
30 Dec 15
that is Hectic - They showed the floods in Ireland on the news but nothing of storms in your area. Its crazy the weather changes - maybe Nostradamus had something there in his Weather Changes prediction.
Prayers and thoughts to all affected. keep them safe. 
I am going to give BBC a quick check before i head to bed. shame
I am going to give BBC a quick check before i head to bed. shame1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
30 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 I am watching BBC but only rolling highlights at the bottom, watching the Royal family history of the year.
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
30 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 I am sorry to hear about it - wish the rain would come here.
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
29 Dec 15
6 feet of rain in a month wow that's a lot. Batten down the hatches. Hope you stay safe.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Dec 15
Sorry my calculations were a bit off it should have read 3 foot.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
30 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 Still a ton of rain.
1 person likes this
I've prayed for those affected. May God keep them safe.
@Tampa_girl7 (48929)
• United States
30 Dec 15
We are also having flooding around us. We are blessed to live on high grounds.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Dec 15
Yes well spotted I was converting 61 inches! DUH!!
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6408)
•
30 Dec 15
we've had floods in our region as well. there've been quite a few deaths related to it. sad. and scary!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Dec 15
Horrible isn't it I hear in Missouri there are floods there now!
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Dec 15
This is incredible. We just watched a YouTube clip of an ancient bridge collapsing. Our friend was on Facebook saying the government had cut spending on flood control but increased foreign aid. Too late now but maybe they'll review their ideas after this. It is certainly a dreadful situation.
1 person likes this
@Darroch (245)
• United Kingdom
29 Dec 15
Quite blustery sounding outside with us tonight. I've just checked and there is a flood warning for the village we live in, though thankfully (for us) not for the street we live in.
You do really feel though for the people in Cumbria and Yorkshire that seem to have been getting hit time and time again recently with floods. We were in York in November and it looked pretty bad then - The River Ouse was flooded, but nothing quite like what there has been more recently.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Dec 15
It is terrible I really feel for those poor people.
1 person likes this
