Sunday, February 09, 2014

Stormy weather

My posts about Devon usually boast photos of sandy beaches, stunning coastline and sun-drenched cottage gardens. Unfortunately, like much of the rest of southern England, we are having a tough winter and we are all wondering if things will ever be the same again.

The wet weather started in December and, apart from a few brief bright spells, it has gone on and on and on with no end in sight. As well as the never-ending rain, we are currently experiencing storms and high tides here on the coast. Our beaches are being swept away, our rail link to the rest of England has been cut off, seafront homes and businesses are being destroyed while further inland, farms and villages are suffering badly. Here is a clip from an ITV news report showing some of the damage:


I wonder if Ikea make a flatpack ark?

12 comments:

  1. Hello Maureen
    As the news reports have been coming in I did wonder how you were - was going to look your blog up and leave a comment. You beat me to it lol
    Lots of questions I suppose, main one being how far from the coast are you and have you been affected by the stormy weather?
    That news clip was actually used on our tv news - I remember the poor woman in tears standing beside her van packed to the roof with her belongings.
    We are too dry - you are too wet. Wonder when it will end??
    Take care
    Cathy

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    1. Hi Cathy
      We are just over 2 miles from the coast so not in any direct danger from the high tides but we are taking a battering from the winds and the rain is causing havoc. Luckily we are higher than the river but we get run off from the hills behind us and our dining room is liable to flood. So far that hasn't happened so fingers crossed.
      Between you air conditioning and my heating, we'll be giving the power companies a mighty bonus!
      Hope you cool off soon.
      Maureen

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    2. Hope you dry off soon as well lol
      Our cool change came through late this afternoon - talk about one extreme to the other. 41c yesterday and a few days prior to that, 39c today and wait for it 12c overnight!! Only 26c tomorrow then back up to high 30s. Gale force northerlies (hot winds) today, fires galore all over the state *and country) oh and a cyclone in the top end - and all the kids went back to school last week.
      Cathy

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  2. It's crazy, isn't it? I certainly can't remember a winter like this with such a succession of bad storms blowing in off the Atlantic. Glad you're ok, we are too apart from some fence damage this week. Feel very sorry for the poor devils on the levels and down in Dawlish etc.

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    1. We thought the collapse of the canal and our flooded village last year were bad but this is much worse, isn't it? Glad to hear that you are okay.

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  3. Been wondering how you are getting on. See your village had some serious flooding earlier on but I think from what I could see, you were just missed? Keep dry!

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    1. We were hit quite badly a year ago bu tmore work was carried out on the flood defences in the summer and so far they have held. Saunton and Croyde beaches have been badly affected by the tides. I haven't seen anything on the news about Bognor so I hope you have been spared.

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  4. We have been OK; protected by Selsey Bill. Pagam has been hit and the field round about are badly flooded. I think there has been something for everyone in this long spell of inclement weather.

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  5. Keeping fingers crossed (and toes) it sounds rather grim ...and miserable. I shall send wishes for sunshine, or at least the rain to stop. Hot tea and a warm fire with a very good book to get lost in until the sun comes out again.

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    1. We are fortunate, Val, because our house is safe. We feel for all those who are losing their homes and businesses and the area as a whole. I'm with you on the tea and books - not a bad way to see the winter out.

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  6. This video didn't work but I have been watching others, and I feel so badly. I'm glad you, and Cath, are okay, but I feel sad for the whole country.

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