Now. This is happening now, the helicopter has just rescued another two people from the river Avon which is around 50 or so yards from our house.
Around our courtyard we and our neighbours stare woefully at John's lovely narrow boat which has risen above the moorings and now would float free except that it became caught in the gap between two buildings. The mooring rope rose higher than the tall post on which it was secured. John has placed a rope around the tiller handle and is desperately fixing extension leads in the hope of keeping the boat, at least, in that place, although it is hard to know what will happen to Millie when the waters recede. Add to that the debris we see floating along the river, remains of boats, or maybe a caravans, odd bits of furniture, a few chairs and unrecognisable objects. People's investments, holiday homes, possessions they have worked for over many years probably, gone in an instant. It is no wonder that the emotions rise and we are well off compared to so many.
At this moment the our garages are flooded almost to the roof and we are trapped, but most of us miraculously still have power and we are safe in our own homes. Of course we are concerned that the river may rise even more, but at this moment my emotions are directed towards those who are so much worse off. This all happened so quickly and despite servere weather warnings we are never absolutely prepared for the flood when it arrives. Yesterday morning the river was at a normal level; looking back a little further, last weekend we were on our landing stage with neighbours enjoying the Evesham River Festival and colourful, decorated boats lined the banks, in some places three deep. There were thousands of people dressed in summer clothes enjoying this annual event.
During the day we watched the torrential rain as the river rose with alarming speed. The residents of this small complex rushed to move cars across to the multi-story car park and move precious goods from the garages which are the lower level of our properties for these were built with floods in mind and there is no living accommodation on the ground floor. There will come a time when this is just a memory, but I believe for many it will be the source nightmares for many years. My heart goes out to them. Stay safe. More thumbnails ...
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