The Dragon Says: Why Wasn’t The Flood Alert for Guildford Issued Earlier?

Published on: 27 Dec, 2013
Updated on: 27 Dec, 2013

Some serious questions need to be asked after Guildford’s Christmas floods. The questions need to be asked of those responsible for issuing flood warnings and those taking the necessary precautions.

One question above all stands out. Why, when severe weather warnings had been issued days before and a flood alert was issued by the Environment Agency for the Upper Wey during the early evening of Monday, December 23rd, was no alert issued for Guildford until 10.11 am on the 24th, when the river had already broken its banks?

It seems unbelievable. A storm was lashing the country for most of the 23rd with constant rain onto already saturated ground. You did not need to be an expert to realise that all the rain falling on the 904 square kilometres of the Wey (North and South) catchment, from parts of Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex, has to eventually drain into the river.

This must have been realised and an alert was issued for the Upper Wey but none for Guildford and the Lower Wey. Why? The water had to go somewhere and the water in the upper river will inevitably move downstream; we all know that’s how it works.

It is true that levels can be managed through the sometimes heroic work of the lengthsman and weir-keepers, but they can only do so much to prevent nature and the floodwater taking their course.

So when all the clear up and recovery work has been completed there needs to be a root and branch review to investigate the actions that led up to the floods and discover what lessons can learnt for next time.

There will definitely be a next time. Of course there will. The world turns, rain falls and rivers flood. It could be next week, next year or perhaps a decade or two, who knows? But it will happen and those in charge then should have the benefit of our experience so that they can avoid any mistakes we have made.

In times of emergency connected to the weather it is vital, that wherever possible, early warnings are given so that the authorities, the councils and the emergency services can be warned and put well considered and properly communicated contingency plans into effect.

Low lying homes and businesses must be alerted as soon as possible so that they can move as many valuables as possible to higher levels. Low lying car parks should be closed so that cars are not submerged and road and traffic management plans must be put in place to maintain flows and ensure the passage of emergency vehicles.

The local media must play their part too. They must be available 365 days of the year to pass on information and keep everyone informed of news and official advice.

Guildford’s position in a river valley means that periodic flooding is inevitable. The Saxons, who first settled here, understood that, which is why the first buildings were probably built around St Mary’s church, in Quarry Street, well out of the reach of the deepest flood water.

But today, perhaps with a degree of arrogance that comes from our ability to control more and more in the natural world, we seem to have forgotten some essential lessons: when you live in the flood plain, have a plan, be ready to move quickly when the river starts to rise and don’t wait until it is too late.

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