StephenFord 866 Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Well, it seems that we moved out of Dawlish just in time - last Thursday, which was surprisingly, completely dry while our removal van loaded up. Earlier this week, after a bit of a battering, trains were suspended between Exeter and Newton Abbot (i.e. along the sea wall at Dawlish). They said no more trains until Friday. After last night's storm it's going to be a lot longer than Friday before any trains run along the sea wall again. Yesterday evening the storm returned with a vengeance. The timber part of the station platform on the seaward side has now been destroyed, and about 50 years of the sea wall itself has collapsed, leaving the railway suspended in mid-air, and exposing the houses built in the shelter of the wall to the full force of the wind and waves. There are pictures of one in a collapsing condition. There are a fair number of pictures and videos on line. Those with facebook can look up Eyes of Dawlish if you are interested. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,514 Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Dreadful for those folk living down there in the South-west and Wales. Also those in the South of England who were flooded out on Christmas Eve (my sister-in-law included). We've been lucky here in Notts, probably thanks to being East of the Pennines. So far so good but we're only half way through Winter. The trees around us are getting a real battering today though, it's a tad scary when massive street trees are only a few yards from the house! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StephenFord 866 Posted February 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Btw - I meant 50 yards of sea wall, not 50 years ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Merthyr Imp 729 Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Dawlish in better weather a couple of years ago: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
piggy and babs 544 Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 so much damage this year down south as lizzie says we been lucky here in notts except for a few unlucky places but when are they going to stop building on flood plains. yes it will miss some of the worst areas were they have improved the flood defences but it still has to go somewere so will it other places it hasnot hit in the past Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bilboro-lad 294 Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Whoever bought the house in Dawlish probably lost 50K in value this week. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,514 Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Wonder how many thousands don't have insurance? My son moved house 3 years ago and within the first week, while they were out at work, pikeys (he assumes!) broke into their garage and emptied it, taking golf clubs and other expensive stuff. They hadn't got around to sorting out contents insurance! Lesson learnt for the future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomlinson 879 Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 It seems £millions are being put aside to improve flood defences but horse and stable door come to mind. Considering how insurance companies and the government drag their heels in helping people for personal loss, isn't it time a charity was set up to help those unfortunates of our own down there in the west country? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,109 Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Sod the charity, cash and manpower should be available instantly. We're bloody quick to fork out cash for other countries misfortunes. What irritated me was the brainless tw*ts hanging around Dawlish Station when the waves and rocks were crashing over the wall. One youth in particular on his mobile continually trying to get in camera shot. The reporters and camera crew have enough to contend with in conditions like that without w**kers like him getting in the way. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 We did get insurance refused once when we lived in Sawley.because we disclosed the 1947 flood! Must say I am glad we are away from the flood plane. Tho of course we all pay on our insurance even though we are not at risk. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bilboro-lad 294 Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Houses in Oz built on flood plains are built on legs. The underneath part is just a garage/utility. The house is about 8 foot up. Why not here? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor S 2,003 Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Houses in Australia built on legs was and still is more to do with the cooling aspects that underfloor ventilation style provide in the hot zones such as Queensland and northern NSW. Houses on stumps were also easier and cheaper to place on undulating ground as well as storage, pest control etc. This style of house may have secondary benefits if constructed on land prone to or subsequently affected by flooding but it was not the initial purpose. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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