Carlisle Has Flooded - Again!
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
December 7, 2015 6:15am CST
Carlisle is in Cumbria, as most people know, and that county has had more than a month's rainfall in one day, during Saturday. Overnight on Saturday I didn't get much sleep due to the noise of emergency services sirens and helicopters flying overhead. However, this proved that there was mobilisation to help those in need, so I was reassured in many ways. The RNLI do an amazing job and I will donate to them once I get some Christmas money!
We have come off lightly compared to some. Our roof needs looking at due to a slight leakage through the bedroom ceiling (as it's been very windy as well) but our house itself has not been flooded. In fact, it's a carbon copy of January 2005 as - basically - a hill nearby has saved us.
In and around Brunton Park (the football stadium) the waters got to around 7ft+ deep. Many homes were flooded and in videos I have seen, the ground floors of a lot of them are completely submerged. This is unprecedented and worse than 2005.
In 2010 we got our new defences built, costing millions, but even that has been overtopped in places. Mind you, it would have been a lot worse WITHOUT these new defences and there is only so much that can be improved. Priorities have to be assessed regarding population sizes, infrastructure and such-like.
Not so long ago we had a little day out in Keswick, about 30 miles away from here and that's underwater now. An old bridge called Pooley Bridge has broken in half and that's been there since the 1700s as far as I know. We have driven over it many times. That's near Penrith.
The Cumbrians have been amazing in their fundraising efforts. A whopping £250,000 has been raised by the locals and many donations of food and bedding have been rolling in.
What can be done to improve our flood defences?
TREES! There are not enough trees. Lots of beautiful, rolling hills but not enough trees on them. It's no good blaming the farmers. They were there before the urban sprawl but if we are all encouraged to plant trees that might help.
In and around Brunton Park (the football stadium) the waters got to around 7ft+ deep. Many homes were flooded and in videos I have seen, the ground floors of a lot of them are completely submerged. This is unprecedented and worse than 2005.
In 2010 we got our new defences built, costing millions, but even that has been overtopped in places. Mind you, it would have been a lot worse WITHOUT these new defences and there is only so much that can be improved. Priorities have to be assessed regarding population sizes, infrastructure and such-like.
Not so long ago we had a little day out in Keswick, about 30 miles away from here and that's underwater now. An old bridge called Pooley Bridge has broken in half and that's been there since the 1700s as far as I know. We have driven over it many times. That's near Penrith.
The Cumbrians have been amazing in their fundraising efforts. A whopping £250,000 has been raised by the locals and many donations of food and bedding have been rolling in.
What can be done to improve our flood defences?
TREES! There are not enough trees. Lots of beautiful, rolling hills but not enough trees on them. It's no good blaming the farmers. They were there before the urban sprawl but if we are all encouraged to plant trees that might help.4 people like this
3 responses
@changjiangzhibin89 (16544)
• China
8 Dec 15
The heavy rain seemed to cause inundation and much damage in the low lying parts of Cumbria.Fortunately ,you fell on your feet .It is time for the authority to consider where the problem lies in .Making the hills green is where it is .
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
8 Dec 15
I'm dreading seeing all the belongings out in the street as I remember that vividly from last time (if you remember I commuted to Carlisle back then) but at least it's all been publicised on the national news so action maybe a bit more forthcoming because of it.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
15 Dec 15
@changjiangzhibin89 Yes, Carlisle is at the top of Cumbria (where the Lake District is situated) and Penrith is nearer as it's higher up. This is where John works of course.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16544)
• China
9 Dec 15
@Janey1966 I only have some vague memories about what you mentioned .You once said where you live is a lake district .
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157699)
• United States
7 Dec 15
That sounds like very serious devastation. It seems you have a good perspective about it as you have analyzed the efforts made to make things better. Try to stay dry friend and be careful.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Dec 15
Will do.
John has already rang me to say that he might be late home due to the fact there is only one road going in and out of Carlisle. The main road where the football ground is closed as people are still being rescued. Some try to hold out for as long as possible (which is understandable) but it gets to the stage where it's safer to be rescued than to stay put. The emergency services have been brilliant and it annoys me when people moan about them, to be honest. I believe there have been about 5,000 households affected here so it will take time for all these places to be assessed.
John has already rang me to say that he might be late home due to the fact there is only one road going in and out of Carlisle. The main road where the football ground is closed as people are still being rescued. Some try to hold out for as long as possible (which is understandable) but it gets to the stage where it's safer to be rescued than to stay put. The emergency services have been brilliant and it annoys me when people moan about them, to be honest. I believe there have been about 5,000 households affected here so it will take time for all these places to be assessed.
