NationStates Jolt Archive

Sky News Linky (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1272285,00.html)
BBC News Linky (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6239828.stm)
Three people have died and thousands have been forced from their homes after severe flooding hit England and Wales.

About 900 people are using emergency shelters in Sheffield, and dozens more were evacuated across Lincolnshire, Shropshire and Nottinghamshire.

Hundreds have left villages near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, amid fears the nearby Ulley dam could collapse.

I'm surprised there hasn't already been a thread on this. Do we know of any NSers in the affected areas? Doesn't Pure Metal live near Wales, or is it that he's from Wales originally?

And to look at the bigger picture, is the what we can expect in the future if we don't do anything about climate change? Or is it just one of those freak weather events?

He lives in Southampton.

*waves his arms to make sure Ifreann sees an American upset about what is going on in England*

It's a tragedy really. I'm less concerned about whether we know anybody who is involved in the tragedy and more about hoping that the number of people affected is as low as possible, whether we know them or not.

*waves his arms to make sure Ifreann sees an American upset about what is going on in England*

It's a tragedy really. I'm less concerned about whether we know anybody who is involved in the tragedy and more about hoping that the number of people affected is as low as possible, whether we know them or not.

*duly acknowledges Jocabia's arm-waving*

Since everyone's been evacuated it's probably affected as many people as it will, but even still that's hundreds of people whose homes won't be habitable for a quite a while, especially if that dam breaks.

Actually RO posted a thread regarding this yesterday...

I doubt it will stop there being a hose pipe ban again...

God wants Tony Blair to stay in office.

Sky News Linky (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1272285,00.html)
BBC News Linky (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6239828.stm)


I'm surprised there hasn't already been a thread on this. Do we know of any NSers in the affected areas? Doesn't Pure Metal live near Wales, or is it that he's from Wales originally?

And to look at the bigger picture, is the what we can expect in the future if we don't do anything about climate change? Or is it just one of those freak weather events?

i used to live in Cardiff, yeah... but not for the last year and a bit :)

glitziness says its sweet of you to care :p

Wales and the border area have been pretty badly hit. In the north it's Sheffield that is worst affected, really. Two died in Sheffield and one in Hull. In Hull, a poor, poor man drowned after getting trapped under a mancover that he had been trying to unblock. Yorkshire in general is in a mess. This is quite inconvenient, as I was trying to catch the train to Cambridge today after stopping in Leeds, and couldn't because the track is underwater..

Still, this is global warming for you. It's already claiming innocent lives.

Since England's an island, it's not technically 'flooding', it's 'sinking'.

I had to help move some horses to a drier field last week, does that count as being affected? I got fish and chips for my troubles, too :)

Flooding does seem to be becoming a fairly normal occurance around Britain, which might be related to climate change, but any individual event... Well, you can't tell really. You need patterns and stuff.

Since England's an island, it's not technically 'flooding', it's 'sinking'.

England isn't an island! It's got Wales and Scotland bolted on to it! :p

God wants Tony Blair to stay in office.

LOLOL!!!!

On several levels

I bet he resigns as an MP tomorrow btw...

no wash up ships on the beach yet ?

well it got Louth on newsnight all bit only pictures. my town's flood warning alarm didnt go off until abut a 3 hours after it flooded, The flooding just stopped short of my home though a bit of the garden got flooded.

well it got Louth on newsnight all bit only pictures. my town's flood warning alarm didnt go off until abut a 3 hours after it flooded, The flooding just stopped short of my home though a bit of the garden got flooded.

Don't you just love Lincoln-ian (!) efficiency? ! LOL

Glad to hear you are still ok...how are the sandbags coming along? :p

Don't you just love Lincoln-ian (!) efficiency? ! LOL

Glad to hear you are still ok...how are the sandbags coming along? :p

Sandbagss i didnt get any, yeah just love it espically since it the laarm seemd to be permantly on the rest of day till alomst dusk

Sandbagss i didnt get any, yeah just love it espically since it the laarm seemd to be permantly on the rest of day till alomst dusk

I think that would drive me bonkers!

Hope you stay dry mate!

Sandbagss i didnt get any, yeah just love it espically since it the laarm seemd to be permantly on the rest of day till alomst dusk

"Warning, there may have been a flood earlier!"

I've already figured out a way to never be quite so affected by floods.

I may even patent my plan.

I call it the "Don't Live On A Sodding Flood Plain" plan.

I've already figured out a way to never be quite so affected by floods.

I may even patent my plan.

I call it the "Don't Live On A Sodding Flood Plain" plan.

Always go for a house on a hill....preferably the highest hill ;)

I've already figured out a way to never be quite so affected by floods.

I may even patent my plan.

I call it the "Don't Live On A Sodding Flood Plain" plan.

This is always my reaction to events like this, too. Whether or not it's down to climate change (and let's face the brutal truth, it doesn't make one whit of difference what triggered said change) is moot... building housing on flood plain areas is a recipe for disaster.

Always go for a house on a hill....preferably the highest hill ;)

I think Tibetan monks beat you to it - they've been living and meditating on mountains for a while, now. :p

I think Tibetan monks beat you to it - they've been living and meditating on mountains for a while, now. :p

Yeah...all they have to worry about is the fire going out ;)

I think that would drive me bonkers!

Hope you stay dry mate!

That i will in the none alchol sense and at least my local is on top of a hill

That i will in the none alchol sense and at least my local is on top of a hill

Ahh well! There you have it....head to the pub and demand a lock in :)

I dunno, I tend not to much of a thread starter.

I do remember seeing this picture on the news. I found it amusing. :)
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/43052000/jpg/_43052163_bescotfloods203.jpg

I dunno, I tend not to much of a thread starter.

I do remember seeing this picture on the news. I found it amusing. :)
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/43052000/jpg/_43052163_bescotfloods203.jpg

BR Announcer - 'The 12:43 to Welwyn Garden City has been canceled due to the wrong type of water being on the tracks' :p

God wants Tony Blair to stay in office.

Don't you call God loopy!

Since England's an island, it's not technically 'flooding', it's 'sinking'.

England = NOT island.
England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.

I've already figured out a way to never be quite so affected by floods.

I may even patent my plan.

I call it the "Don't Live On A Sodding Flood Plain" plan.

Not everyone has the financial ability to avoid living on a flood plane. Ane even if they aint on one, grids could overflow when it rains.

some photos i found of louth flooded

http://www.louthleader.co.uk/EditorialGallery.aspx?ArticleID=2978566&SectionID=817

It'll stop.
Its like someone is causing it! :gundge:

England = NOT island.
England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.England = NOT island.

I think someone has continent envy. :p

some photos i found of louth flooded

http://www.louthleader.co.uk/EditorialGallery.aspx?ArticleID=2978566&SectionID=817

Thanks for the pics!

I think someone has continent envy. :p

"Continenvy", if you will.

Not everyone has the financial ability to avoid living on a flood plane. Ane even if they aint on one, grids could overflow when it rains.
Erm...yes, they do. If you can buy a house, you'll probably be able to buy one that isn't on a flood plain. Not my fault if they can't bear to move away from an area.

Since England's an island, it's not technically 'flooding', it's 'sinking'.

Demonstrating very poor geographical knowledge regarding both islands and the country of England in one short sentence. Nicely done.

Demonstrating very poor geographical knowledge regarding both islands and the country of England in one short sentence. Nicely done.

Psh, it's an island. Technically, most continents are islands, because they're surrounded by water at one point or another.

Of course, I'm just being a pedantic bastard at this point, but it's so much fun.

Psh, it's an island. Technically, most continents are islands, because they're surrounded by water at one point or another.

Of course, I'm just being a pedantic bastard at this point, but it's so much fun.

Fun is good, but you didn't seem to realise what I was implying.

1. England is not an island - it is part of an island (called Britain).
2. Islands don't sink because they are connected to the ground - not free in the water.

I managed to miss pretty much all the bad weather - I've been abroad... didn't realise how bad it was until I drove back today and spotted a herd of upset-looking cows stranded in a flooded field.

And yeah....if you buy a house on a flood plain, you have no right to complain when it floods!

And to think I almost made the choice of going to University up North. Well I'm staying in the South.

Another Reason why the South is better than the North - We don't get freaking floods like that!

Demonstrating very poor geographical knowledge regarding both islands and the country of England in one short sentence. Nicely done.

Um... http://geography.about.com/od/geographyglossaryi/g/ggisland.htm

England is most of an island. It's on an island even if it's not the entirety of an island. More importantly, it was a joke.

Um... http://geography.about.com/od/geographyglossaryi/g/ggisland.htm

"A body of land surrounded on all sides by water."
Yeah, exactly. Which England is not.

England is most of an island.
Scotland and Wales are actually quite big.

It's on an island even if it's not the entirety of an island.
Thanks, but I already said that.

More importantly, it was a joke.
Well I could have criticised the attempt at humour too, but my intention was to be constructive, not cruel.

I'm in one of the wetter areas myself. Its rather funny actually, I was able to take my kayak out across the fields. I think its most interesting that during April it was all "global warming is threatening us", but in a cool, wet June they have all shut up. I haven't heard a word about it, which is always a nice break.

I'm in one of the wetter areas myself. Its rather funny actually, I was able to take my kayak out across the fields. I think its most interesting that during April it was all "global warming is threatening us", but in a cool, wet June they have all shut up. I haven't heard a word about it, which is always a nice break.

Because it's not like water needs heat to evaporate and form clouds.

"A body of land surrounded on all sides by water."
Yeah, exactly. Which England is not.

Do you usually take things out of context and then argue against them? I guess you like being wrong.


Scotland and Wales are actually quite big.

I take it you don't know what "most" means. I'm sorry to hear that.


Thanks, but I already said that.

Yes, while I was writing my post.


Well I could have criticised the attempt at humour too, but my intention was to be constructive, not cruel.
Except you weren't. He was kidding. There is nothing constructive about criticizing a joke for being inaccurate. It only demonstrates you didn't get it. Although, if you were attempting to demonstrate to us what happens when you don't get it, thanks, that was constructive.

Except you weren't. He was kidding. There is nothing constructive about criticizing a joke for being inaccurate. It only demonstrates you didn't get it. Although, if you were attempting to demonstrate to us what happens when you don't get it, thanks, that was constructive.

OK, while it seems that you are being sarcastic just for the sake of it, I will give you the opportunity to explain how making the inaccurate statements in question qualifies as funny.

OK, while it seems that you are being sarcastic just for the sake of it, I will give you the opportunity to explain how making the inaccurate statements in question qualifies as funny.

It doesn't have to be funny, since it would be an opinion. It was clearly intended as a joke, whether you missed this fact or not. He wasn't actually suggesting that England was sinking. In further news, Bill Cosby didn't really believe his name was Jesus Christ.

Do you usually take things out of context and then argue against them? I guess you like being wrong.

Sorry, Jocabia, but England isn't an island. It's one country out of three on an island. If he'd said Britain it would have been fine, but Britain != England and it's really tiresome that people get that wrong so often...

Sorry, Jocabia, but England isn't an island. It's one country out of three on an island. If he'd said Britain it would have been fine, but Britain != England and it's really tiresome that people get that wrong so often...

If I hadn't included that in the post, you'd have a point. Since I did, you don't. All I said is that England is the majority of the island and it was a joke. Clarity would have ruined the joke. It doesn't have to be 100% accurate.

Fun is good, but you didn't seem to realise what I was implying.

1. England is not an island - it is part of an island (called Britain).
2. Islands don't sink because they are connected to the ground - not free in the water.

If you wanna get really technical, it's GREAT Britain. Or the UK, I suppose.

Islands can sink, I have seen it in stories. [/Izzard]

If you wanna get really technical, it's GREAT Britain. Or the UK, I suppose.

Islands can sink, I have seen it in stories. [/Izzard]

Nope. The UK includes Northern Ireland

Nope. The UK includes Northern Ireland

So that's two islands then. Does that make the joke any funnier?

Quite close to where I live in England (exiled from God's own land) there's a housing development called Fishlake Meadows, built on the flood plain of the River Test, and all the residents got surprised when their houses ended up underwater a couple of years ago. There's a clue in the name.

I also remember with some amusement when Portsmouth flooded a few years ago, and raw sewage was floating in the streets. Absolutely no difference ffrom normal, if anything raw sewage would improve Portsmouth.

If you wanna get really technical, it's GREAT Britain. Or the UK, I suppose.

Islands can sink, I have seen it in stories. [/Izzard]

The island is called Britain. You're mentioning countries. The island itself is sometimes called Great Britain, but the more typical usage is for the political entity.

The island is called Britain. You're mentioning countries. The island itself is sometimes called Great Britain, but the more typical usage is for the political entity.

Actually, the British Isles are all the islands here-abouts, including Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight, etc. The biggest one; England, Scotland and Wales; is technically Great Britain. Although that's commonly abbreviated to "Britain" because it's not really ambiguous.

Yay Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles_%28terminology%29) :)

The island is called Britain. You're mentioning countries. The island itself is sometimes called Great Britain, but the more typical usage is for the political entity.

Well, no. The island is called Great Britain. There also used to be a country called Great Britain.

Sky News Linky (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1272285,00.html)
BBC News Linky (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6239828.stm)


I'm surprised there hasn't already been a thread on this. Do we know of any NSers in the affected areas? Doesn't Pure Metal live near Wales, or is it that he's from Wales originally?

And to look at the bigger picture, is the what we can expect in the future if we don't do anything about climate change? Or is it just one of those freak weather events?

I have family in the area - most of my remaining family live near-ish to Lincoln (in and around the Boston area - close, but I don't think close enough to worry).

On the second part of your question... both answers are probably true... this is a freak weather event, and it's probably what we can expect more of in the future.

...but Britain != England and it's really tiresome that people get that wrong so often...

No it isn't.

I'm a pom, and I could really care less.

No it isn't.

I'm a pom, and I could really care less.

Every time someone makes that mistake an ornery Scottish Nationalist has a heart attack. Won't you please think of the Scottish Nationalists?

Besides, I'm a pedant and it gets on my nerves :p

The island is called Britain. You're mentioning countries. The island itself is sometimes called Great Britain, but the more typical usage is for the political entity.

Actually the Island is called Albion.

Maybe you should just stay in Moderation... :p

Cardiff is alright as it goes.

Its actually sunny now and only a few little puddles :)

Must be a pain in the butt to be flooded >.>

Actually the Island is called Albion.

Well, yeah, if you're Ptolemy.

Well, yeah, if you're Ptolemy.

The UK truly deserves the title "Land of the Pedantic" :p

Every time someone makes that mistake an ornery Scottish Nationalist has a heart attack. Won't you please think of the Scottish Nationalists?

Besides, I'm a pedant and it gets on my nerves :p

Most of my Scottish friends don't really care either... and I've never really been one for pandering to extremism.

I'm sure pedants the world over are mourning the inaccuracy of the whole Great Britian - United Kingdom - England fiasco... but I suspect most people don't give a shit.

Actually the Island is called Albion.

Maybe you should just stay in Moderation... :p

Um, you mean I don't belong in General if I don't use a term people haven't used for Britain for nearly two millennia? Hmmmm... I'll take that into consideration. Maybe I'll start calling black people Moors as well.

My understanding is that Britain is the one island and that Great Britain was the term for that included the big islands and many of the smaller islands. I admit, I'm not entirely sure.

My understanding is that Britain is the one island and that Great Britain was the term for that included the big islands and many of the smaller islands. I admit, I'm not entirely sure.

Great Britain is one island. Great Britain is also a political term (derived from Kingdom of Great Britain, i.e. the Kingdoms of Scotland and Wales united) for that island and the small islands surrounding, and the modern UK is a successor state of the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Britain is just a easy term that's used for the UK as a whole, really.

Um, you mean I don't belong in General if I don't use a term people haven't used for Britain for nearly two millennia? Hmmmm... I'll take that into consideration. Maybe I'll start calling black people Moors as well.

My understanding is that Britain is the one island and that Great Britain was the term for that included the big islands and many of the smaller islands. I admit, I'm not entirely sure.

My Moderation comment was me ribbing you...nothing more...hence the smilie at the end...did not mean to offend you...

Albion....well its still use today...

Regarding the word term Britain...well as far as I am aware the first record of that term was by Julius Caesar...I suspect the term Britain was imported....

Nowadays you are right....Great Britain is the correct term for the archipelago ..the political entity is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland...

My Moderation comment was me ribbing you...nothing more...hence the smilie at the end...did not mean to offend you...

Albion....well its still use today...

Regarding the word term Britain...well as far as I am aware the first record of that term was by Julius Caesar...I suspect the term Britain was imported....

Nowadays you are right....Great Britain is the correct term for the archipelago ..the political entity is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland...

I know you were kidding.

Great Britain is one island. Great Britain is also a political term (derived from Kingdom of Great Britain, i.e. the Kingdoms of Scotland and Wales united) for that island and the small islands surrounding, and the modern UK is a successor state of the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Britain is just a easy term that's used for the UK as a whole, really.

According to what I've read it's also the geographic term for the main island the smaller island and the reason for the usage of the term "Great". Kind of like the term Greater Chicago referring to Chicago and it's surrounding suburbs.


The UK truly deserves the title "Land of the Pedantic" :p

I'd argue they aren't pedantic enough. Here we have several intelligent people and GnI and we can't seem to agree on the name of a huge island we've all heard of.

That entire island is covered in bastards and open sores.

By the way, I just got called sugarbritches, so take that, ya bunch a punks.

Admittedly, I smell kind of sweet in that area, but I suspect that's because of my new cantelope hand lotion.

Incidentally, if you britches actually were sugar, wouldn't that be kind of uncomfortable?

According to what I've read it's also the geographic term for the main island the smaller island and the reason for the usage of the term "Great". Kind of like the term Greater Chicago referring to Chicago and it's surrounding suburbs.

That's more like a common usage thing, really, but OK.

Incidentally, if you britches actually were sugar, wouldn't that be kind of uncomfortable?

Caster sugar or brown sugar would be pretty uncomfortable, but icing sugar would be great :cool:

That's more like a common usage thing, really, but OK.



Caster sugar or brown sugar would be pretty uncomfortable, but icing sugar would be great :cool:

Until you sneezed and HELLO JOCABIA'S WANG!!!

Until you sneezed and HELLO JOCABIA'S WANG!!!

Well, there is that. You should probably be particularly careful around schools.

And if it rains you might find you have iced legs.

I'd argue they aren't pedantic enough. Here we have several intelligent people and GnI and we can't seem to agree on the name of a huge island we've all heard of.

It's especially tragic, because I posted a link explaining it all ages ago :p

Also, lol @ "several intelligent people and GnI" :D

Until you sneezed and HELLO JOCABIA'S WANG!!!

:eek:

Well, then I'd have iced socks, which is great for some, toesucker.

Sugar britches would be unpractical if you were standing on an island which is not an island, and would not be an island even if it was, because it is under water. This is because suger is highly soluble in water.

Well, then I'd have iced socks, which is great for some, toesucker.

Again, around schools...

Again, around schools...

Shhh... I ignored it the first time because you can't tell all our secrets.