Residents' Association Forum

Islanders and others - what contingency plans do you have in the event of evacuation from your homes?  Are the authorities in touch about that eventuality?  What if anything might other villagers (or the councils) do to assist, which they are not doing already, in the event of waters rising to unliveable levels?

EBC:
300 sandbags have been distributed to the following central locations for residents to collect:
Alexandra Road, Thames Ditton
Queens Road, Thames Ditton
Riverside Road, Thames Ditton

Are these ones already distributed over the weekend or additional ones today?

http://residents-association.com/forum/index.php?topic=815.msg12301#msg12301

On Saturday I got a few for our place but the bags disappeared very quickly.

We spoke to a police officer at the boat club who was trying to help someone on queens road as she did not get any (a disabled lady) - hopefully that was resolved but if not might be worth trying to get some for her (I believe he said her house was number 25 but not sure for sure) if anyone is around today?

To be honest - now its just a case of crossing fingers as another 10-20 cm will mean a lot of trouble.

Again also just hope islanders - and other riverside residents are ok.

I think the water was up to the detached house at the end of Alexandra on Saturday and its even higher since.

6.75cm now (highest 'recorded' was 6.70 so above that).

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/riverlevels/riverstation.aspx?StationId=7246&RegionId=7&AreaId=19&CatchmentId=88

Our councillors are tracking this forum thread so they can pick up any needs and lobby with the councils.

What exactly happened by way of organisation/help from authorities during the 2003 episode when Islanders were evacuated?  Can any islanders of that time inform us?

Update:
The Civic Centre has been open and operating all over the weekend.

EBC distributed sandbags in Speer Road/ Summer Road and to residents in Alexandra Road, Queens Road and Riversdale Road. All available sandbags have been deployed.  Another 25 tonnes of sand is being delivered to EBC today to replenish stocks. 

Residents alerted to move cars to Ashley Road car park (parking charges suspended)

All community centres (including TD Centre), are open and on standby for vulnerable residents

EBC has a list of vulnerable residents that have been contacted- ie spoken to by phone or visited over the weekend

Flooding advice:  http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/environment/flooding/advice.htm

EA flood levels:   

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/riverlevels/riverstation.aspx?StationId=7246&RegionId=7&AreaId=19&CatchmentId=88

Our Councillor Sandra Dennis writes:

I have just spoke to Rob Moran the Chief Exec at Elmbridge Council. He has been working all weekend on flooding problems in the Borough and his advice is as follows:

Residents who want to evacuate Thames Ditton Island or other flooded properties should call 999 as emergency services are doing the evacuation. They can only evacuate people who want to go.
Walton Centre is the emergency centre which has camp beds and basic facilities for temporary accommodation
Residents who are in rented accommodation should speak to their landlords to see if they can get alternative accommodation
Residents who own their properties should speak to their insurance company who should pay for hotel accommodation
Alternatively residents can call the flood emergency control centre at Elmbridge on 01372 474 640 as they can help regarding advice and temporary accommodation.

BBC news report on flooding in Thames Ditton http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26111014 starts 0.54

Just been down to take a look.  If anything, going by the slope from the gate down to Albany Reach, it has receded two or three inches.

Level at TD Island is some 6 cm lower than the peak 36 hours ago.

Meanwhile, if those seriously affected by the flooding, or about to be affected, have any particular problems they can't solve please post here and we'll see what residents can do. 

Thats a relief - hope it does not rise again with the rain over the next few days.

I was told that the reading at Thames Ditton island is now being taken manually - is that the case?
i.e. on this link:

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/riverlevels/riverstation.aspx?StationId=7246&RegionId=7&AreaId=19&CatchmentId=88

it was temporarily when the meter went down briefly, all back up and running as far as I know now

The power of TV and a very convincing volunteer. Watch Su Burrows go to work on Defence Secretary Philip Hammond:

She is very good. I like her!

I had to watch it again and I am even more impressed. She is obviously a little tired and you can hear the emotion in her voice yet she is still very good at getting her point and hopefully a result...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26146361

The groundwater levels seem to have dropped despite yesterdays rain.

I think this might be a temporary respite though as they are predicting the Thames to peak again this sunday/monday. Hopefully it will not be as high as last weekend but best to prepared for it just in case.

Fingers crossed that after this week we will see better weather (that’s the medium term forecast anyway).

Does anyone know if there are to be any more sand bags distributed?

If they are - may I make a suggestion that we have a few volunteers (I am happy to be one over the weekend for example) that not so much police but watch their distribution? Ideally from the Residents Association just for authority but anyone really.

This more to ensure anyone picking up the bags are indeed from the streets they are for... though obviously we cannot police it I think having people there would help.

The last dump of sandbags was a little bit of a free for all.

In the main most - thankfully - most houses I could see were trying to be fair and neighbourly but one only has to walk up and down queens road/ alexandra road to see that the distribution is not quite as well 'fair' as it could have been (and no idea how many of the bags made it to the back of peoples gardens).

If there is any skew it should be for the houses at the very top of the roads,i.e. lower down.

There was even talk of some houses on summer road taking some of the council sand bags (which were earmarked for the three river roads). Whether there is truth in that we don't know but it was not clear when they were dropped off as to how they were to be allocated/used.

Further to the above - I called up Elmbridge and there was actually another delivery yesterday (missed out on that one too).

I have suggested if possible if someone could be allocated to perhaps just stand over them ... its a hard thing to balance as I am sure 90+% of people will be trying to be fair and also we would want Elmbridge to speed up the delivery.

If the RA could perhaps work with Elmbridge on any future deliveries to Thames Ditton that would be fantastic.

I appreciate this is a huge ask and should't really be required.

As I said I'd happily volunteer time if it was over the weekend but it would be better for someone relatively neutral I would think rather than people from the roads in question?

All just a thought- if its too big an issue then the current system can remain.

As far as I am aware, no sand bags have been distributed to Riversdale Road despite it housing a number of elderly and vulnerable residents.

The Jolly Boatman development, steamrollered through by the tories who ignored the views of the local ward councillors, all of whom voted against it, representing local people, will make flooding in Thames Ditton a more frequent event, because there will be no run-off for floodwater on the site once the development is built.

Every time the two storey underground car park floods, it will be out of action for months, with the result that Hampton Court station users will park in Thames Ditton instead.  (The car park will not have flood barriers).    The site of the development is rated by the environment agency as the highest risk flood plain).

Is the Jolly Boatman site currently flooded in these unprecedented weather/river level conditions???

Emberman - that site is actually fairly above the River, lm more worried about the run-off from the Home of Compassion large car parks on their current lush lawns.

Groundwater levels back up again this morning. :(

Yes unfortunately with more rain today and the river levels predicted to peak Sunday/Monday...

Just need to get through this little period I hope.

The Environment Agency has formally categorised the Jolly Boatman site as Zone 3b: the highest category flood risk.
More information on https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/6000/2115548.pdf

EBC delivered flood information packs in the Alexandra/ Summer Rd area.

I am also told that they delivered some sand bags and allocated them out.

Well done Elmbridge!

River level up 7cm (3 inches) since yesterday.  But I think rainfall up the valley was less than feared overall.

The Telegraph has cottoned on to the amount of new building planned for the floodplain.  Elmbridge is no exception.  This is something on which we and other residents' associations have campaigned for years.  The council pays lip-service in its planning guidelines, but when it comes to individual applications for new build, they are not turned down on these grounds.   Perhaps now, for a short time at least, the matter will be taken more seriously.  It should really be the subject of central regulations on clear  principles.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/10641488/Flood-hit-areas-earmarked-for-more-homes.html

".... In the past year alone, councils allowed 87 developments involving 560 new homes to proceed against Environment Agency opposition.

There are no national regulations to prevent developers from building homes on floodplains, and construction companies bear none of the subsequent risk should the houses flood. ""

Anyone wishing to defend flood plain, turn upto the Home of Compassion meeting.

RA Hon Treasurer Crhists Silverthorne writes in:

"HMRC helpline for people affected by floods
HMRC have launched a new telephone helpline for anyone affected by the recent floods. The helpline will 'enable anyone affected to get fast, practical help and advice on a wide range of tax problems they may be facing'.  HMRC will also:
- agree instalment arrangements where taxpayers are unable to pay as a result of the floods;
- agree a practical approach when individuals and businesses have lost vital records to the floods;
- suspend debt collection proceedings for those affected by the floods;
- cancel penalties when the taxpayer has missed statutory deadlines.

The helpline is 0800 904 7900. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 8.00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, excluding bank holidays.
The helpline is in addition to other HMRC telephone contact numbers.
"

I think the HMRC offer is mostly about relief on rates, which is not unreasonable if you are unable to trade. Great to see the continued downwards fall in levels. The predicted weekend increases never happened. Here's hoping that something good comes out of this. The Island is an obvious local issue and I wonder if there will be a move to allow a sensible increase in ridge levels to allow floor levels to rise to slightly higher levels? I know that many Island floor levels were pretty close to recent flood levels and another 300-400mm in height might be a sensible way forward. In the last couple of years the EA have dropped their forecast flood levels by this amount which now looks like a flawed strategy. 

Elmbridge update:

"Flooding Update – Monday, 17 February 5:30pm

The weather forecast for this week is now looking more positive.  The river levels on the Thames are now starting to fall.  This afternoon the Environment Agency announced that it would be lifting 14 Severe Flood Warnings from the Thames.  However, Flood Warnings will still remain in place so a continued risk of property flooding remains.

Tomorrow, the focus of our operations will start to transition to ‘recovery’.  We are well underway with planning how we will support residents and local business with clearing up after flooding.    We will continue to monitor the situation in areas affected by flooding and as soon as water levels have fallen to a safe level, we will make arrangements for waste collection services, street cleaning and the collection of damaged furniture and fittings.  We will be writing to residents most affected by flooding with details of local arrangements and public health advice.  We are arranging for a team of staff to deliver these letters over the coming days. 

From Wednesday, 19 February – Friday, 21 February, we will opening a  Flood Recovery Centre at the Elmbridge Community Hub.  This will be open between 9am-5pm with Council staff available to help residents with any queries they may have in relation to flooding recovery. 

The Council is making a Hardship Fund available for residents and local businesses that have been affected by the recent floods. Home owners and local businesses without insurance cover who have suffered damage can apply to the Council for help. Eligibility for this fund will be looked at on a case by case basis.



"

they arent using the barrier today so it will probably rise again later

Hopefully not too high.

As an aside - i still find it fascinating how the barrier can help control the flow up to Molesey (i.e. well past the tidal lock).

Impressive engineering.

If I understand it correctly it was more built to protect from storms in the ocean but this winter has been almost used in reverse.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26133660

Elmbridge's latest press release:  http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/news/news.htm?mode=10&pk=5030

Now that the river is consistently going down we can review the winter flooding, out of which Thames Ditton came quite well - particularly compared with other parts of the Thames a little upriver.

Levels at TD Island were the highest recorded, higher than 2003, yet as far as I am aware - please chip in if incorrect - nobody apart from one or two particularly vulnerable residents left the Island, where the elevated ground floors stood up very well. 

Elsewhere along the river bank in Thames Ditton, water rose menacingly high up gardens but I am not aware that any houses actually flooded.

Some basement areas along the river were below the elevated water table and there was some penetration, but in at least one case I know of, that was easily handled by pumps.

The last serious flooding of property in the village was during the Thames Water mains fracture in 2006.  In 2003, some islanders were evacuated with levels lower than this winter - defences seem to have improved since then.  In 1968, the Mole and Ember caused widespread flooding.  This year, their upper reaches flooded (with dramatic photos along the river banks) but the defences raised since 1968 have prevented flooding here and at Molesey since.

All in all, property here has stood up well to the unprecedented rains, high water level in the rivers and threat of flooding..

Does anyone have anything to add?

Yes agree, these were a very extreme set of circumstances, the perfect storm if you will (pardon the pun).

The Island despite being a bit wet and muddy survived largely intact. A few of the more senior residents went to stay with family for logistical reasons, we will never need to water or fertilise our gardens again and some of the lower lying houses had some water in sheds etc. Those that were marginal had previously installed pumps as a preventative measure and these worked perfectly well.

A blitz spirit took over and everyone looked out for one another, was very touching.

All in all, some inconvenience but not much more.

Yes, just to reiterate a comment I made in a previous post. There is a possibility that the EA will revise their flood models, having recently lowered flood forecast levels.
One would hope that a common sense approach is taken on TD Island Ridge levels which may have to rise. I think the on-going problem for the Islanders is the connecting path which floods at relatively low levels. Nice to see the sun come out.

Very much agree with this sentiment - if anything the river 'worries' brought about a lot of camaderie and dare I say it - neighbourly love!

I also would like to add - I was quietly quite impressed with Elmbridge's handling with regards to the sand bag distribution (and the 'improvement' by the distribution by household).

Thankfully for most houses they were not required. I have read various articles as to their potential effectiveness but they definately helped improve peoples peace of mind to at least feel something was being done just in case.

We are I guess lucky where we are located and the fact that the tidal barrier can have such a positive impact on the levels up to where we are.

One has to feel for people further up river who are not as fortunate as we were/are.

I see the recovery process has started to help those now. From the Lower Sunbury RA website (I hope they will not mind me reposting this) - http://www.losra.org/


"Surrey Flood Recovery Appeal:


The Community Foundation for Surrey has launched a Surrey Flood Recovery Appeal to help people and communities recover from the devastating floods.

The priority of the funding is to support community and voluntary groups assisting in the relief effort in easing the immediate difficulties communities are facing and to support their recovery over the coming weeks and months. The aim of the appeal is to support the most vulnerable and isolated and to encourage local people to support others in their time of need.

You can make a donation to the fund online or cheques made payable to Surrey Flood Recovery Appeal can be sent to:

Community Foundation for Surrey, 1 Bishop’s Wharf, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4RA

Donations

A range of items could be useful to people affected by the flooding. These donations are being coordinated by the local borough councils.

Elmbridge – call the Contact Centre on 01372 474474 who will advise on donations of food, clothing, furniture etc

Runnymede – call the Contact Centre on 01932 838383 for information about donating.

Spelthorne - not looking for donations of food and clothing but would like cleaning materials, mops, buckets, brushes, shovels, gloves, hats, wellingtons, disinfectant, rubble bags and strong rubbish bags. Donations to be made through the Salvation Army in Woodthorpe Road in Ashford.

Volunteering

If you are interesting in volunteering to help with the flood recovery contact the local borough council:

Elmbridge – call the Contact Centre on 01372 474474.


Runnymede – call the Contact Centre on 01932 838383.

Spelthorne - visit Spelthorne Council's website or email flood.volunteer@spelthorne.gov.uk."

I have been thinking the same thing. Despite the most severe Thames flooding (of its kind) for over a century and the continuous media mentions Thames Ditton has emerged relatively unscathed. Hopefully the insurance companies will reflect on this when it comes to setting premiums. :)

On the day when the river was at its highest I noted a news cameraman trying desperately to maximise shots of 'flooded' TD, first from the Island bridge and later by the Skiffers - where water was all of three inches deep on the road!

(http://i.imgur.com/ZPSxCaZ.jpg)

I think the village got coverage because many telly people live here.....

I think the insurance companies will base their premiums more on the cost to them of any claims actually submitted from this area.

There is an e-petition calling on the Environment Agency to proceed with the Lower Thames flood relief scheme for which, if I recall correctly, funds were cut.  It may be viewed/signed at: https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/61258

IMO it should really be calling on the government to fund it.  "Money no object" said Cameron, but who can believe that?