The second issue and perhaps more serious, is do people fully understand? We live in a world where, for most of us, the weather only impinges on our leisure pursuits, if at all, and rarely at that. We look out of the window and see the rain, or hear it on a roof, but it just an excitement of a temporary nature.
DepthWater that is 10 cm (4 in) deep or more is generally considered too deep to drive through. In standing water, 30 cm (11 in) can cause a vehicle to lose contact with the ground, and 60 cm (23 in) can carry a vehicle away.
SpeedFast-moving water is very powerful and can knock you off your feet, even at ankle depth. The average speed of flood water is 6 to 12 miles per hour.
The perception of safety in a Range Rover is misleading as its weight means nothing in flood water movingat the above speed.
My house is at the apex of a slope, but my driveway leads down from the road so there is a potential hazard there, especially with the driveway of the house opposite, My garden is well stocked with plants so should absorb without becoming mobile mud. The house is also about 30m asl.
I suspect that the Somerset Levels will be OK since the last floods – prepared and ready. W-s-M has spent a huge amount on flood prevention from the sea, but sea level rises and extreme weather may make the town centre vulnerable. Also there has been a vast amount of new housing – largely on flat poorly drained land – pumps are ok until under water themselves? So I would not be complacent living in Weston!. Once a problem becomes widespread there comes a point where hopelessness kicks in! There will also be the bullies who think they can muscle?rank priority treatment before the vulnerable.
OK so I will shut up – just sayin’. “We are not as well prepared as we ought to be – climate change is/has happened, A new reality is with us.