BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area

Subject: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 12:55 PM

Weather here is confirmed as the wettest ever month in the past 125 years. Rivers are bursting their banks - 13 year old boy believed to be swept away.

Radio Sheffield - non-stop weather broadcasts. Lady's Bridge in the town centre, which has been there for hundreds of years likely to be swept away. Traffic chaos with roads closed, non-stop sirens, all roads gridlocked.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 03:13 PM

are you in Sheffield, d'you fancy meeting up at Fagans one night, when its not so wet?

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 03:30 PM

Will it ever be "not so wet" ever again?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/content/image_galleries/flooding_june_2007_gallery.shtml

The first one of these is one of the main roads out of town.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Rasener
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 03:39 PM

Doesn't look to good Dave

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1272242,00.html

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 03:40 PM

Here in the American West we'd like to borrow some of that rain. 16,000 acres are burning here on the Utah/Idaho border and 220 houses near Lake Tahoe, California have burned up.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 03:49 PM

Blimey, Dave - you all right on your little hill?

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 03:59 PM

Fortunately the river needs to rise about 90 metres to get to us before we actually get into trouble, I reckon we are safe.

But the morris practice "session" pub is under water. Damn - we are currently seeking a pub whereby none of the regular attendees has to go under water to reach it.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 04:01 PM

And Rapaire do you reckon we could come to some sort of compromise!! we get some of your sunshine and we send you some of our rain?

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 04:08 PM

Weather update - looks like it is stopping - more or less 24 hours after it started.

3 inches of rain in 24 hours. It's a lot for us.....

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 05:48 PM

I've just seen the news and Sheffield really has suffered.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Emma B
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 05:52 PM

My car is full of water and I'm stranded - but fortunately on high ground and at a friends house!
Took 4 hours to drive the 3 miles here after recovering some personal things from the car
Good luck to all those not so lucky

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 05:56 PM

Brightside sounds as though it's been the worst affected. People stranded at work etc. I've been looking at the photo link posted by Folkiedave and there are some incredible pictures.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 06:02 PM

Glad you're safe, M!

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Rockhen
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 06:16 PM

Not mentioning names as they would be very embarrassed, and the names wouldn't mean anything on here, but wanted to say thank you to all those who are helping out anyone struggling with the effects of flood water...just learnt of the safe return home of some people I know, who have been waist deep in flood water helping people they didn't even know try to save property and more importantly, make people safe. Is a big relief to know they are home ok. I bet there are hundreds of people out there, trying to help others without any fuss, or glory. Here's to all those people who are the sleeves (and trousers!) rolled up types, who put others before themselves. I, for one, are glad you are around.
Thinking of all those out there who are struggling in this awful rain.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 07:08 PM

Some of the people from Brightside area who were stranded in the post office sorting depot found there was a butcher in their midst and his van was full of bacon. Eating bacon sandwiches they are. Happy as pigs in muck.

In case people are wondering how some of this happened - the river banks burst at the same time as drains burst - the flood happened whilst people were sat in traffic jams thus people were trapped in cars.

Imagine an industrial skip floating in the centre of your town - it will give you an idea. Imagine having to jump off a bus which is flooding, into 4 feet of water!!

Pubs. Sheffield City Morris's pub (Gardener's Rest) is under water. CAMRA's pub of the year - Kelham Island Tavern - cellar is flooded - had to close at 4.00 pm. Fat Cat is nearby - bound to be the same.

As I look across the valley from where I live(N. West Sheffield and I look both West and North with a huge view) most of the area is in darkness - a major electricity sub station is under water.

Went out for a pint about 10.00 pm. I guess it is a tiny bit like Iraq - there are dozens of alarms going off because of the sub-station going down and the sound of helicopters overhead all the time.

And finally two people have died. One a young man swept away the other an old man swept from his car as he stepped out of it.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: mandotim
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 07:24 PM

I had some 'fun' today trying to get myself and colleagues back from the wrong side of a very fast-running and deep ford near Hathersage. Drove into Sheffield at lunchtime, left about 4.30. Traffic was chaotic, and all the roads running down off the hills into Sheffield were more like small rivers. Glad I took the Land Rover today, and not the small hatchback! Scary stuff, it's sad to hear that people have perished.
Tim

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 04:13 AM

There's an urgent call out for little Dutch boys to go to the Rotherham area...

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 05:08 AM

Almost calm today - sun was shining when I got up - and the roads I can see have little traffic on them. Many schools and colleges closed.

Dunkirk spirit renamed "Sheffield Spirit"

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 05:42 AM

Folkiedave, thanks for the link to BBC flood pics.

good to hear things are settling down & UKcatters were not directly affected.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Emma B
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 07:55 AM

Woke up this morning to no power soon to be replaced by a dozen alarms coming on as soon as it was returned.
Got a lift home, fortunately my friends live on the higher (dry) side of the A61, but the Snake Pass was crowded with large vechicles as the Motorway has been shut down because large cracks have appeared in the dam wass of a reservoir outside Rotherham and threatened not only to engulf the motorway but to bring down electricity pylons too.

My condolences to the families of the three lives that were tragically lost, it could have been so much worse without the actions of the wonderful emergency services and volunteers that rallied round amidst the traffic chaos and damage

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: gnu
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 08:30 AM

Emma.... Glad to hear you are back home safe and sound. I hope you gave those police who got you to safety great big hugs!

When might you find out if your car will be okay?

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Emma B
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 08:45 AM

The charming policeman who I only knew as "Rob" gave me a great big hug when, with assistance, I finally got safely out of the car and onto high ground ignoring my sorry sodden state!

As it wasn't really possible for me to get much wetter I was also able to check on the isolated stock trapped on the far side of the flooded farmyard and ascertain that the elderly couple running the farm were safe if cut off from their (hungry)animals by the rising waters until the recovery team arrived. Thanks to them for the hot mugs of tea too.

What neither Rob or myself could fathom were the drivers who bypassed (and in one instance drove over) all the road closed barriers and seemed intend on joining me in the swollen river. I think I looked like a far more effective arguement for not attempting to use that route than anything he could say to those idiots!

The car is still full of water and stranded on the "wrong" (as in wet) side of Sheffield until such time as something can get through and retrieve it but at least it was not quite so bad as those I passed where only the roofs were visible

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Grab
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 10:32 AM

Good luck to folks over Sheffield way!

Cambridge generally isn't as bad, but apparently it's been bad to the west of Cambridge. A woman my wife works with had 4 inches of water in her house last week, and she was lucky because she was a bit further up the hill - apparently it was waist-deep in the houses further down. The problem is that the ground is completely waterlogged so there simply isn't anywhere else for the water to go except running off.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 10:34 AM

Emma, we also had lots of idiots driving down flooded roads in our recent floods.

Some even moved aside the flood barriers placed there by emergency services, so they could test out their 4WD cars! One idiot also sent a huge bow-wave over sandbags protecting a house, sending water into the dry house.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 11:32 AM

Hi Emma - and Sorry I missed your first post.

Sorry to hear you were stuck - give us a call if you think we can help in anyway.

We are still a bit isolated - not many trains - no national express and no motorway.

But it is getting better - roads are starting to open again.

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 27 Jun 07 - 05:14 AM

Emma, I'm sorry you were so bady affected and I do hope you car dries out OK.

We're a tad worried about the Ulley bursting its bank as it is a bit close for comfort. We've had a loud speaker van around this morning putting us on flood alert.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: JulieF
Date: 27 Jun 07 - 05:33 AM

Made it back into Sheffield after two days adrift in Stocksbridge. Even now the main road is blocked and the buses are all having to go the scenic route.

just a touch ironic as the reason i am moving out of Stocksbridge is to reduce travel time and to make sure I don't get stuck if the buses stop for any reason.   I only went back on monday morning to do the last bit of packing and throw the fridge out before the big move.    My buyers are in the area without power - so its going to be chaos

glad to hear every one else ok

goingback to work at lunchtime but I had to come back to house number 2 and change my clothes

Bright sunshine in Sheffield now.
Have fun

J

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 04:07 AM

Now that it does appear that conditions are improving there, I hope it won't be offensive to say "if misery loves company, company's here."

Twenty inches of rain swamps Texas

"Stormy weather forced helicopter crews to abandon rescues

"The Associated Press
"Updated: 2:17 a.m. CT June 28, 2007

"MARBLE FALLS, Texas - Lashing storms dumped up to 18 inches of rain on parts of central Texas, flooding several towns and stranding dozens of people on rooftops, cars and in trees Wednesday.

"No fatalities were immediately reported in the latest in a series of storms blamed for at least 11 deaths in the past week and a half. The downpour and winds were so treacherous early Wednesday that helicopters were forced to abruptly halt efforts to rescue people from rooftops.

... ... ...

"Much of the water had receded by Wednesday afternoon, but as much as 10 inches of rain was forecast to fall in the region overnight."

One must feel a certain kinship ... and wonder why Maw Nature seems pissed at so many of us.

John

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 05:06 AM

That puts our rain into perspective - and the 100 mph winds will too.

10 inches of rain overnight is much more than we would ever get and your people do have our sympathy I am sure.

On the other hand more severe weather is forecast for the weekend so we may be getting ready to go through it all again.

Oh dear.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 05:08 AM

>>Now that it does appear that conditions are improving there<<

I don't think so John. More bad weather is on its way for the weekend and will probably impact on what is already a very serious situation.

Les

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 05:57 AM

Well I thought it sounded a bit like things were clearing there, but perhaps it was just the eternal optimism of our crowd shining through, and not the sun coming forth. Continued hope for the best for all concerned.

The central US has had unusually heavy and sustained rain, but our more variable weather has us perhaps a little more accustomed to hearing about nearby places being slammed than would be the case on your side of the pond. In season it seems we always have neighbors being assaulted with floods, hail, or tornados; although the season this year has been a bit longer than usual.

At the moment, my TV is running scrolling banners at the bottom of the screen announcing "flood warnings" for a dozen or so surrounding counties - as has been typical every day or two for several weeks. For the most part though, here the warnings are significant mostly to people in low lying areas, who should know who they are and who should be accustomed to and prepared for periodic evacuations.

One little river nearby that I watch periodically has risen by 8 feet in the past 6 hours - from 1.5' to 8.3' on 0.4" of rainfall - and at that level may cause a very few people to find a place to spend the night; but the river has another 10 feet to go before reaching "flood stage" at 18'. Even a rise to 18' - which could happen with current predicted weather - wouldn't require a significant reaction from the nearby community, but a rise to 18.4' would top a couple of levees and would be a substantial inconvenience to a rather large number of people.

The area where the link reported flooding is a hundred miles or so south of my location, so we are not likely to be noticeably affected. Our main concern is that we have 98% relative humidity and predictions are for 95F (35C?) temperatures in the next few days.

John - keeping one eye on the sky -

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 08:57 AM

we had several thousand gallons of water pass through our house on monday.It was the run off from the field behind us so the water was perfectly clean and clear
so the damage has been minimal.
       Flamenco, the only path!

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 29 Jun 07 - 03:58 AM

As Annie Lennox once said, "Here comes the rain again..."

Just in time for the weekend. Belting down, it is. The temperature has plummeted in the past 5 minutes.

Ah, the great British summer. Hope you lot who have suffered so far aren't too badly hit this time.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 29 Jun 07 - 04:08 AM

Its no good going to the S.E. Mediterranean either.....

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news?articleid=2984232

France looks a safe bet mind.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 29 Jun 07 - 04:22 AM

That's enough schadenfreude from you, stuck in Sheffield next week with your damp drawers, Uncle Dave!

The very hot weather has mostly been on the mainland. Islands are faring better: like the one I'm going to. So ner ner.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 04:16 AM

Well not to detract from what's going on there, but yesterday (28 Jun 07 - 05:57 AM) I was totally unconcerned when I mentioned one of my "watch areas" with:

but the river has another 10 feet to go before reaching "flood stage" at 18'.

The current hydrograph reading at that gage is at 28.99 ft (~11' above "flood stage") and the forecast is for a possible crest at 34.6' at around 07:00 (local) in the morning. Highest ever recorded at that point (before a lot of levee work meant to prevent this) was 41' and that certainly was a "locally significant event" remembered by people who weren't born when it happened.

It has rained most of the day here, but not heavily. We're in no danger of flooding.

I was wandering around the house being oblivious (not an uncommon activity) when the TV mentioned "and this picture of flooding at Howard KS was sent in by ("familiar name" that happened to be my daughter). Her pic wasn't really too impressive by local standards, but the town where she reported taking it is only about 30 miles from the hydro gage mentioned, hence my check and surprise.

The danged crap is sneaking up on us here.

Who's building the $#@%! ark?

John

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 04:56 AM

I have some Bird's Eye Maple Remarkably it is still the same price.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 06:43 PM

The local crisis is apparently over here, with no reports of major damage although I'd expect lots of mud and a bumper crop of mosquitos for a few weeks.

Out of curiosity, do those in the UK have any sites similar to the Hydrograph Reporting one(s) I watch here?

It took some digging around, and a bit of luck, for me to find the local ones here; but if someone in your area could find something similar an "official" report can be really reasuring in questionable times, and factual info can help a lot in planning if/when things get really mucky.

John

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 06:47 PM

Not as far as I am aware.........let me go seeking....

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Rasener
Date: 01 Jul 07 - 12:27 AM

Here are a couple of links that may be helpful.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/floodwarning/?lang=_e

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_warnings.html

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Jul 07 - 03:28 AM

Those look like good links, Villan, but don't give the kind of "river specific" info I've learned to look for here, unless it's deeper down in the links.

It's hard for me to say whether what's meaningful here would mean much of anything there though, of course. The geology and geometry of the flows is apparently somewhat different.

We all must keep an eye on our own local conditions, and hope our friends will keep safe - and for now at least, as dry as possible.

The latest complaint from our damp friends down in Texas is that their floods have brought out lots of "critters," including claims that "there are water mocassins everywhere." I suspect some significant exaggeration, but also some bits of truth in those reports.

John

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Rasener
Date: 01 Jul 07 - 06:50 AM

Not much in the news about the effects of the latest rainfall. Could it be that the worst is over - lets hope.

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Dazbo
Date: 01 Jul 07 - 09:55 AM

The river Don in Sheffield looked to be back to more or less normal levels and there doesn't seem to have been the heavy rain they were predicting a day or two ago when it was suggested there'd be up to two inches yesterday. Looks like the worst is over to me (at least round here).

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Jul 07 - 10:41 AM

Indeed we had a heavy shower this morning where I live - my wife never had a drop of rain even though she was only half a mile away.

Conclusion - we were right on the edge......

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: JennyO
Date: 01 Jul 07 - 11:48 AM

of 400!

Subject: RE: BS: The Rain in Sheffield and Area
From: JennyO
Date: 01 Jul 07 - 11:48 AM

oops - wrong thread...