Storm arriving soon! Batten down the hatches.

This has been so interesting to read about folk’s experiences up and down the country, hasn’t it, and a few from other countries too.

From what you have all said from north, south, east and west, I haven’t noticed that any particular part of the country has been affected worse than others.

Obviously coastal regions would be particularly windy and gusty, but other than that we are all in the same boat as it were !

Here in Berkshire I think we may be over the worst. We had torrential rain about three hours ago along with scary gusts but it’s looking a bit brighter now.

I see a patch of blue sky!

Still windy but the rain has stopped and the sun is out, here in SW Wales

Howling wind and much rain in West Devon .

Thanks C. Very kind and helpful. Plenty tape now jin situ. Will try to source cardboard when 'Ciara' permits.

'Jin' sounds like a plan too no matter how it's spelt!

Northeast Wiltshire - I think God has just turned the hosepipe up! It's unreal how it is coming down here - my pergola will be lucky to remain standing and have 2 dodgy fences - one will hopefully be okay is is smothered in plants which are holding it up - the other, we will see ....

Just had Kwikfit Mobile here changing a tyre, I have no cover anywhere, poor chap, gave him a big mug of tea but he didn't seem too bothered as it wasn't raining as hard then ... and the power keeps coming and going

Hope everyone is safe and well x

Jennifereccles I am on the Wilts/Oxon/Berkshire border, isn't looking bright here at all!

yes duct tape for that window and everything crossed, close the curtains/shutters whatever you have. Being sunday does not help.

I went out for a very brisk walk to a shop and was dry, 20 minutes tops and got a bit puffed but now, right now, the wind and rain are incredibly bad, right on cue mr Kettley. It is scary time alright. I am so so glad that I chose a brand new house, solid and built to modern regs.

I’m at Ouistreham (France) awaiting a ferry back to Portsmouth. It’s just docked (late) but I’m sure the tailwind will help us!!
En route R4 informed us that winds of force 5 - 8 are expected, reaching force 10 at times. Should be fun!!!
Wish me luck’

Well we are awash. Our defences are all up. But the worse is still to come. The water is around 2 foot in the road. We are beginning to be surrounded. All the village is battened down but we still have acres of water coming our way. A barrier has failed up stream of us.
The Council are going to send a pump in about half an hour. We are on a knife edge. I don’t feel like sobbing as yet, but my dear H, has had his head in his hands a couple of times.
I have been out since half six trying to help the more vulnerable and frightened. I have waders and rain resistant clothing but the wind was very strong. I was up at 2am checking the river levels. I now feel exhausted. I need to sleep.
People who have never flooded have no idea.

Oh no jane - that sounds awful . I wish you all the very best of luck.

Ah craftyone seems I’m better prepared! Got chocolate and I’m sat on my bed, cosy, watching a very favourite film on iPad ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’.

The sun was shining a couple of hours ago but it’s dull again now and SO windy again.

Better turn the volume up on my iPad!
#lazygran

Gosh janeayressister I’m so sorry. I hadn’t read your post when I posted mine and now it’s posted it seems so crass after your worries on here.
?

Poor you, janeay. Hope it calms down soon and gets no worse for you.

MadeInYorkshire Yes I had a feeling as soon as I wrote that, that it would be a case of ‘famous last words’ !!?

Pouring down again and the wind has picked up a lot too.I am east Berks near the Berks, Surrey, Hants border.

Janeay, how awful for you. I'm praying the water stops.

Where are you janeay ?

It seems to have settled down a bit here near Oxford, sun is trying to come out, rain has slowed from a deluge to a spit, but it’s still breezy, feel so sorry for those it has affected the most, particularly the floods, wishing the best to those poor people.
DD 2 is here as she still has no electricity and was cold and hungry ( all electric) dog didn’t enjoy her walk earlier but has a short memory and wants to go out again......
Good news that the stable block has been cleared from the road after it blew accross the fields, trees are still down though, I can’t hear any chain saws, so it will probably be tomorrow when they are moved.
I wonder if the tree felling will still go ahead tomorrow .? TBH if they are still standing I don’t think there is much of a case to fell them.
Hope everyone keeps safe

Wishing all be well for you Jane.....a worrying situation, are you on the Somerset levels?

Here in South East Cornwall it is still wet and wild. We expect to be first to get weather and first for it to stop but no sign of it yet.
The wind was very noisy during the night and it's howling now. Stay safe everyone!

You are lucky your ferry is running Ashcombe *
A lot have been cancelled.
Good luck to you and to janeay

It’s not to bad here in Essex. Windy and raining but I’ve seen worse. It hasn’t stopped me going swimming this afternoon. I think this storm has been exaggerated.

I spoke too soon - it’s now roaring through Edinburgh and we have snow forecast for tonight and tomorrow

Jayneayressister Oh heavens whereabouts are you love?

I really hope that it isn't getting any worse out there for you - AlgeswifeVal I do not think Jane (nor a lot if others) would agree with you there!! Sounds like you have been very lucky in your area!

Apparently Thames Water are pumping further down the village from me as it is coming up through the sewers!

At my end though the 'winter bourne' is doing it's job pretty well it seems ....