The day after the rain

The UK has been battered by rainfall. in some places about 4 inches of rain has fallen in one day.
There are wide reports of people stranded in their cars, others not able to use public transport as the country in places has come to a standstill.

It should be summer and yet, this feels like September/October weather. I do not need any further proof that the climate is changing and out of whack. It works to a certain extent but not as you would want it, its not smooth and any change has an effect on other biosystems.

If you have been affected by flood, the environment agency's website offers a lot of information and advice on how to prepare, a list of how to deal with the aftereffects etc.

On the 27th June Sheffield was struck by floods and the following film gives you and indication of the scale of damage caused.......yesterday was similar and again in the same areas of the UK as well as Wales.


Here we have just had an aftermath of rain. We are situated higher up but the garden and land are simply not coping well with the amount of water cascading down. The reservoirs are full.
The french beans in the garden are awash with little snails and large snails as all animals are aiming for higher ground. The tomatoes in the polytunnel are not really progressing as the temperature is at 17 degrees and would usually be in the region of 23.

There is still plenty to harvest, but the aftereffects of this rain will be felt in all areas of production in the Uk and result in price increases. Insurance for flooding will become more expensive. Last year we had a heatwave at this time, this year, we are awash with water.

Not all news is negative, my beetroots are giant as where last year they were tiny and hard inside due to lack of water. It is at this time that I believe that canning and preserving makes sense, not every harvest can be guaranteed and maybe we are getting back to having to live with uncertainty about our food production. It therefore makes sense to look at what is available locally and create relationships with local producers, harvest what you can and preserve it in ways that are not dependent on electriciy alone. When flood strikes, there is no electricity and no mains services....they too are affected.

How prepared are you?
england


global warming
flood