Stormy Weather

[mercia]

do all those reservoirs around Staines take water out of the Thames ? (they're probably full up)

[Bryn]

the man-made Jubilee River is supposed to alleviate some flooding, I don't know how effective it is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_River

The Jubilee River (so named because it was finished a couple of years too late to take its intended name of Millennium River) was/is designed to alleviate the historic flooding of the Maidenhead flood plane on which many housing developments have taken place in recent decades. The official line is that it works as intended without increasing (though in no way reducing either) the flood risk to settlements downstream of its outlet at Black Potts, between Windsor and Datchet.

[Sir Velo]

No idea, Anna, I'm afraid . Tides will have a bearing on it (on how quickly the water can get away). The EA uses LiDAR to tell exactly where will be flooded by how much water....

Well of course the Thames is split into tidal/non-tidal elements at Teddington Lock. Above Teddington there is a network of weirs. The raised water levels upstream will, therefore, have no impact on central London which is of course protected by the Thames Barrier.

[Serial_Apologist]

Well of course the Thames is split into tidal/non-tidal elements at Teddington Lock. Above Teddington there is a network of weirs. The raised water levels upstream will, therefore, have no impact on central London which is of course protected by the Thames Barrier.

Errm - I am wondering if you have sawn off the branch on which you are perched there, Sir V. The Thames Barrier is there to protect London from flooding from the North Sea, not from upstream. I've no answer to Anna's question as to the safeness of central London in the present developing situation.

[Bryn]

Currently trying to decide whether/weather or not to attend Cafe OTO this evening. Getting there should be o.k., but the journey back might be just that bit too interesting, given the forecast.

[teamsaint]

Currently trying to decide whether/weather or not to attend Cafe OTO this evening. Getting there should be o.k., but the journey back might be just that bit too interesting, given the forecast.

London looks ok from this evening on BBC, AFAI can see.
Wondering whether to RFH it tonight.

[Bryn]

London looks ok from this evening on BBC, AFAI can see.
Wondering whether to RFH it tonight.

It's not the London part of the journey home that worries me. My route home takes me via Runnymede (if I use the car) or Windsor (if I leave the gig a few minutes early and travel by public transport).

[Paul Sherratt]

>>Currently trying to decide whether/weather or not to attend Cafe OTO this evening

Bryn, you could always stay the night at some lovely Dalston Inn ...

Made two round trips to Café Oto from N. Staffs recently, most rewarding.

( An easier trip tonight to see John Cooper Clarke at The New Vic. Newcastle Under Lyme. Last time we caught him was in St Ives ... )

[mercia]

A308 Windsor Road Runnymede closed, as you probably already know

http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/berkshire

[teamsaint]

It's not the London part of the journey home that worries me. My route home takes me via Runnymede (if I use the car) or Windsor (if I leave the gig a few minutes early and travel by public transport).

well good luck if you decide to go.
Its train to Waterloo or car to Richmond/Kew and then tube or train for me.

[Nick Armstrong]

London looks ok from this evening on BBC, AFAI can see.
Wondering whether to RFH it tonight.

Storm seems to have blown over - the sun's out here!! Still a stiff breeze, though but....

[Anna]

Storm seems to have blown over - the sun's out here!! Still a stiff breeze, though but....

<rolls eyes emoticon> You Londoners never have any real weather do you? Bet you don't even own a pair of wellies!

A barricade is being built to try and protect Bridgewater and Taunton, but, not sure if it's going to occur but the online Telegraph reports an Enviornment Agency source saying: "A 40 square mile area of the Somerset Levels could be flooded deliberately to save Bridgwater and Taunton." A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "This is an emergency situation and some very difficult decisions have to be made" So, Westonzoyland may disappear completely.

One thought that has just struck me - is Brittany or N. France getting the same extreme weather?
Edit: I'd be more worried about wind if travelling this evening.

[teamsaint]

Storm seems to have blown over - the sun's out here!! Still a stiff breeze, though but....

good news.
Southwest trains are pretty shambolic though. Tree on line at Brookwood, flooding near Southampton, plenty of cancelled trains.

Some of the bigger roads in Southwest london having problems.
Think I am going to sit this one out and test new headphones on the R3 relay
Might spend the dosh on Rach and Dvorak at the Anvil in March.

Have a great time if you are at a concert tonight, and take care out there !

[BBMmk2]

We have had a right storm here. trees down etc. Gusts of 60 mph probably

[Serial_Apologist]

I could be wrong here, but I am tentatively hopeful that Friday into Saturday's really nasty depression will be the last of the severe weather systems for a while. Things should then calm down, with wind and rainfall amounts back down to reasonable levels. What we all need of course is 3 weeks' dry weather!