Residents' Association Forum

http://environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/34678.aspx?page=1&type=Postcode&term=KT70SQ

The warning includes everywhere west of Hampton Court Way...

(http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?ep=ajaxmap&topic=fwa&layerGroups=1%2C&minx=508785.75295&maxx=523668.56545&miny=162512.21350000048&maxy=172434.08850000048&scale=6)

Yup

environment agency warning us the river could rise another 18 inches around 2.30 this afternoon

Wow - that very high - its already over the lawn at the bmyc .

Hope you're ok on the island with that and that the rain will ease now

18 inches would be in the garden and would mean waders on the path

shot of the slipway Tues afternoon... (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8225180842_62d2265066_c.jpg)

Went down to the river today at the boat club and its the highest I have seen it reaching well up covering the lawn completely.

Hope islanders are ok and not having their Xmas ruined by flood worries.

We met lots of friends traipsing the sodden Albany Reach.  Swans travelling very fast downstream!

Things are looking a bit ominous: flood warnings along the middle Thames with the Cherwell at Oxford also under warning and the Mole to Hersham rated at alert.  More rain forecast during the next three days at least, and nowhere for it to go.

Yup, it's the highest I've seen it since living here. Island paths flooded and it's in most gardens on both sides. We are a bit higher than most so largely escaping it so far although I don't see that lasting. Just been put checking boat
Lines for people who are away and the river is running extremely fast. Downton on and family all watching it. Im not a viewer, All pubs shut so I decamped to my little bar with my brother! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and good luck matey!

I think there was a precautionary evacuation of the Island about 2003/4?  But things subsided just in time then.  It's only got a couple of feet to go to get over the bank level at Albany Reach, and then quite a lot of us could be in trouble.  Meanwhile, not that it will console you, but we have rain trickling down the inside of our kitchen from this pesky tiny leak in a flat roof, that the roofers haven't been able to track down.  Sigh.

On the other hand, the beef joint I ordered from Stephens in Hinchley Wood was perfection, again.  I did try to get them interested in TD....

Thanks bud, can't believe the flat roof saga is still ongoing!

- can't track the leak down, water appears about four hours after rain starts, can't fix roof while it's wet weather.  I'm thinking whole new roof come the Spring drought.....

The flood warnings tonight say that on current forecasts water will not rise to the levels of January 2003 (that's for the staines section)

The Mole is apparently subsiding a bit.

All the same, things looked pretty worrying along the river to Kingston this afternoon, with more rain forecast.

Yup, whole island flooded now, largely gardens not houses. Path only accessible with chest waders and kids being put in canoes. River is running very fast. Saw some people on kayaks today, I'm no expert but seemed like lunacy to me. Why put yourself at risk?

The Rythe was the highest we have ever seen on Chritmas Day at 9am, it hit the roof of Thorkhill Bridge and was extremely quick, although as soon as it hits its peak it dropped right off. Although it looked as though one or two of the cottages were flooded opposite TD Common on the Portsmouth Rd, hope they were all ok.

The Thames today looked aggressive today especially  the flow against the small island down stream of TD Island.

Hope you TD Islanders are ok, and stay safe.

They have closed the Thames Barrier (http://) in an effort to protect Thames Ditton. Hope all okay?

All ok yup thx matey.

Maybe that's why things looked a little better today along Kingston reach at high tide (13.14 hrs)

Yes I agree - fun though it looks - personally I would not go out in these conditions (especially not solo).

The actual flow speed is not as big an issue (well unless you are trying to fight it!) to me as the over flow and flooding. People kayak /canoe on rivers much faster than the thames (even the speed it is now) but the flooding means the river now goes over ground that it would not normally do.

I suppose if they stuck to what the boundaries of the river are it might be ok (or better the middle?) but it would be too easy to stray onto areas where its flooded over and therefore over ground with big undulations, could be something underneath to suddenly stop you, loose branches, other items in the water, etc.

Also I notice some weird counterflow in some areas.

I think the thames normally is one of the safest places to canoe/kayak - its well defined, any 'risky' (few these are) areas are well marked and 90+% of the time it is easy, if necessary in an emergency, to get out on one of the banks. Also there is almost always other people on the river or walking alongside.

This is not the case now - and as I said its things that you can't see that could cause trouble.

For example our boat club has a small deck/pontoon that sticks out into the river - and is now completely submerged (in fact worse - I think it might actually be broken and half floating) - if you were coming to it at speed (and it is the 'normal' boundaries of the river so easily done) and you were to hit it then that could easily cause a flip.

Like you said-  why would you... unless you know what you're doing and I would think life jackets and helmets would be the order of the day, almost treat it like white water river conditions.

Just all my opinion of course... !

Begs the question of why people do risk sports at all, m'boy.  And that is the answer.

Based on unsystematic experience, I have this theory that often those who seek out risks in leisure time are the likes of accountants or actuaries in their workday week.......  while the SAS enjoy watching TV or sitting by a pool with a marguerita in their time off.

Yesterday I actually told 2 kayakers to turn around. They'd been at the Swan and were coming up the backstream very very slowly. One was exhausted, had a life jacket fitted incorrectly and was clinging onto a boat. Both we dressed in shorts.  The other said 'let's just get to the Albany and get out there'.

I said in no uncertain terms that they should stop. (the guy at the back looked relieved) They were both clearly out of shape and once past the backstream (which itself was flowing incredibly quickly) would have had no chance.

People can be very stupid. It's up to them what they do but they force others to end up endangering themselves to save them.

Well done.

By any chance did you ask their profession? (trying to be more systematic here !)

I believe they were professional idiots ;)

Ah, politicians perhaps... (did you listen to the Party Leaders' sickmaking new year gushes - they have no credibility at all, much laughter in Colets changing room;  maybe another thread as OT) 

Ha no missed that but can imagine!

Admin I am sorry to say this but you do have a habit of killing very important threads of valuable information and in this case extremely important information. Why do you find the need to add very random comments such as banter in Colets about politics? The thread was until your off the wall comment very informative. Of course the site is for general chit chat as seen in many posts but I really think the above disruption of valuable knowledge was not needed.

(http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/13/131281/2708644-3240092_com_3192526_man_eating_popcorn_while_watching_movie.jpg)

sorry, couldnt resist ;)

V easy to get back on track anytime, water levels subsided slightly. No damage to houses on the Island just some mess in gardens, nothing serious.

it's made getting around a little more interesting than usual.

no let up in the parents on the slipway who dont seem to like their kids very much though!

I came across these images of Summer Road and Alexandra Road on ebay. Any thoughts on the date? They're from a set of five Kodak postcards requiring a half-penny stamp on the back so I know they're pre-1918.

[img width=500 height=375]http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff485/TDRatty/SummerRoadflood_zpse3bcb999.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=375]http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff485/TDRatty/alexandraroadflood_zps0359006d.jpg[/img]

I didn't recognise the other locations and in fairness to the vendor here's a link to their page (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Josordoni-Collectables?_trksid=p2047675.l2563)

Thanks Ratty very interesting - didn't recognise the other pictures either.

However tried bidding on both of them as they are exactly where we live, indeed the Summer Road one shows our house.  Don't suppose anyone on the forum acquired it and would be willing to sell it on to us or allow us to get a copy made? 

I've seen similar TD pics cropping up many times on eBay so I'd bet you see them again

That one was quite appropriate, will keep my eyes open.

Getting back onto topic, how is the island doing at the moment?

Thx for asking, the water is still very high and potentially more to come but it's only really gardens that see it plus water on the path can make getting on and off a bit interesting at times but that said everyone helps each other out and it's seen as an adventure as much as an inconvenience!

Ah ! Rhodrich sent me the link to the one on Alexandra road and I meant to bid on it too!

Darn!

Next time!

Thats good to hear - I thought I saw on the beeb that the rain should ease off now?

yeah but neaps then spring tides will keep it full

Well, Dilys, I'm thinking of retiring this summer - would you like to take on the Admin?

With all the flood warnings (including the mole having burst banks) - hope all ok for td residents especially those in close proximity to the river.

It always seems worse this time of year and combined with less people manning locks, and other river defenses...


This is re: the mole...

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/25/christmas-storms-thousands-flooded-power

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

The flood levels are higher than they have been for a few years and flow rates looks high. The EA has generally been revising levels downwards in our region. Possibly time for a re-think. 

Glad to see its coming down again now.

It peaked at over 6m on xmas/boxing day I think.

Why don't the EA Calvert/sell some water to the reservoirs?

What's an EA calvert?

I thought we had peaked at just over 6m at xmas - but on the home page more flood warnings last night...
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/34678.aspx?page=1&type=RiverAndTown&term=mole

and the measure at TD island is now at 6m12 - thats just below teh 07 peak of 6.16m
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/riverlevels/riverstation.aspx?StationId=7246&RegionId=7&AreaId=19&CatchmentId=88

Once again hope all ok for islanders and other people living close to the river.


And also just hope that 6m 12 is the highest we will see this year.

thx mate, some minor flooding to gardens but houses are all raised up and fine

If you have an interest in river levels, have a look at
https://twitter.com/AlanBarrierEA

which is the EA Thames  Barrier tweet.

The river seems to be very fast at the moment, as measured by CUMECs at Teddington. Not too many people on the river.

Thanks for the link HC.

It sometimes amazes me that the Thames Barrier is operating miles specifically to protect Thames Ditton.

Thames Barrier closes again (http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10916586.Thames_Barrier_to_close_for_the_ninth_consecutive_time/)

It isn't as daft as it sounds. Once the river gets this high it is the spring tides coming back over Teddington weir that are cause of flooding. 

Higher today again, looks to be over 6.3m. We've got flooding in the cellar for the first time in 10 years.

yup, the path was a challenge this morning!

Looks like a 4-5 days with little or no rain which should help but levels still going up. 

Yup, it's crept up to 6.39m. They are sandbagging Harts Boatyard.

Still nudging up (6.48m) and the Thames Barrier shut again. I'm not sure if there is any tidal movement of the water that is between the barrier and Teddington??  More rain tonight, hopefully things will ease in the next couple of days. 

After dropping away yesterday the river rose to over 6.5m last night. It was down again this morning but is expected to rise again as the Jubilee River is at capacity.

yup that was v high last night wasnt it, we're still dry though! :D

Glad to hear its all ok on the island.


I guess I should check on my boat... I rather foolishly left the bung out (to let rain water out) but if its high enough to have reached it ...

The water was very high up towards the boathouse at the BMYC so worth checking.

Oh no!!! darn - I should not have taken out the plug hole (to let teh rain water out)!

as long as no engine on it and it's anchored properly can always pump it out so wouldnt panic and also if it's underwater wouldnt go near it yet

River Levels at TD now down to 6.00m AOD and steadily falling. Hard to know how much effort to put into the clean up.  Also, very nice to see the sun..

They were warning further flooding at Thames Ditton on the BBC news this morning. Hopefully not!

Yeah unfortunately my mum saw this so I have had to try and convince her that we are fine ...

levels will rise and fall until the 19th possibly getting close to what we have seen but shouldnt go any higher from what the EA have told us.

Craig -what have the EA told you?

How does this compare to the 2003 floods, in terms of water quantirty? Have the EA got a better handle / control now?

Pretty much what I said above, it's lower than 2003 but was still a large volume of water.

It's nature and very powerful so tricky to manage of course but a part of me thinks it could have been controlled/predicted a bit better at times, there are better qualified than me who can comment though.

It's just a bit of mess and inconvenience for a while, nothing serious, people upstream have had far worse

I see the level is back up to 6.44m, with the expectation that it could go higher.  I hope all is OK on the island.

I echo these sentiments - and for people living on the river banks too.

I went to the river club boat club last night and the water is the highest I have seen it yet - its all saturated with nowhere to go.

its bracing stuff thats for sure! :D

So Craig are the EA are clueless?

Not clueless, I'm sure that currently they are doing all they can, but I think this could have been handled better.

I think we are possibly reaping what has previously been sowed in terms of lack of preparation and water management previously and further upstream from us.

Council left sandbags on the corner of Speer and summer road this morning but all gone already.

Water has come up to the first 10 m or so on top of Alexandra road. Queens road is dry up to the Albany at least- can only presume Alexandra road is lower?

More rain to come but I hear the barrier is closed so hopefully somewhere for it to go?