Cumbria, Ireland and Scotland Floods.

Rescue Services

This past week the United Kingdom and Ireland suffered severely from the aftermath of Atlantic storm Desmond, with winds well over 120 mph and severe flooding. Many people were stranded and cut off in their homes without power. Carlisle was the worst effected with a large part of the city under 5-9 feet of water. The east-coast rail line was also flooded between Preston and Glasgow, I think for the first time?

The R.N.L.I. was the main force employed with rescue boats to ferry out the old and those who were either disabled or ill. Other services such as the Coast Guard, mountain rescue and military provided helicopters for those really bad areas.

Fourteen inches of rain fell in a 39 hour period across these islands and most rivers could not cope, even with recent improved defences. There will be many questions in relation to infrastructure and did the building of banks and glass walls really help?

Money will always be the main issue in these matters and perhaps the failure to dredge rivers is one of the main problems, apart from building on low level land to the water table.

The inflatable comes into its own in these types of flood condition, there were also many other small boats involved with outboard engines.

The R.N.L.I. Part-One.

Life boat search and rescue.

The RNLI is a shared service in both Britain and Ireland, it has a long history of saving life at sea and saving people stranded in difficult places. From its orgins and basic open rowing boats it has developed into a high tec' service, which is now an invaluable assit to these islands.

Life boats, inflatables and hovercraft are manned by volunteers, who are supported by donations and annual subscriptions from the general public. 

The RNLI work with the Coastguard and Military/Police search and rescue, on my You tube site I have filmed various life boats and helicopters. Some are on call, while others are on training exercises. 

Please remember them this special season and with out recent and forthcoming horrible weather.