Well it didn’t happen. After
all the warnings and evacuations, there were no significant floods in this area
thanks to a change in the wind direction. Further up the coast in Whitby and
Hornsea, they weren’t so lucky, but even so, it wasn’t the disaster they had
been preparing for.
My daughter’s house was in a
danger zone and they moved valuable items upstairs and packed bags, ready to
come here if necessary. We were a whisker outside the potential flooding zone.
Were they right to evacuate
some areas? Yes, they were. Better to put up with a little inconvenience than
to suffer the way people did in 1953. On that night, my mum said it was like a
tidal wave coming down the street. People lost their homes, their possessions
and their lives.
I wrote a post five years ago about the 1953
floods, "The Eyes Say It All", with photos from the time. We should never be
complacent about what could happen when a storm surge coincides with a spring
tide and a strong wind from a certain direction. I would rather be evacuated
from my home unnecessarily than risk going through what my mum and so many like
her went through all those years ago.
We didn't get much snow either, much to the disappointment of the children who were all hoping for school closures and snowmen!
Dusty still has the remaining
scrap from his Christmas toy sheep. It has now been joined by the remains of a
cow, a monkey and a donkey which he was given on his third birthday last week!
We were sitting round the
table drawing and Dusty decided he wanted my youngest grandson’s toy dragon to
add to his collection! I didn’t get a single photo of him trying to steal it
without his arm being a blur!
And glad you avoided the really bad weather. Here in the South of England we had quite a lot of snow but I'm glad to say it's thawing now. It is very beautiful but I'm not a fan of driving on icy roads. Well, who is?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you there - I hate driving on icy roads. I like looking at it, just not going anywhere in it!
DeleteLovely photos of Dusty being all innocent:)) I remember the post with your mum looking really sad. And I think of it sometimes as it's so memorable. I was worried about the people over on the East coast, and glad it wasn't as bad as they thought. I agree, better to get out and be safe than stay and worse happen. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's as if he has no idea how his toy ended up as a small piece of fluff with eyes!
DeleteI think the authorities did a great job preparing for the worst, but I'm so pleased it wasn't needed :-)
So glad you're all right, Teresa. I remember your post and the sadness in your mother's eyes. I love the pictures of Dusty. He's looking so fit and well. xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanna. My mum was always such a happy person no matter what life threw at her - it feels quite strange to have that photo of her looking so sad xx
DeleteIt's very difficult to get the weather forecast right at times and it's sensible to take precautions in light of the previous disaster. I think most of the country had less rain and snow than was predicted. We were expecting blizzards but only really had a mild one for a few hours! Love the photo of Dusty pinching the dragon.
ReplyDeleteIt's as well to be prepared isn't it, Rosemary. I feel it's better to be ready for the worst and end up pleasantly surprised.
DeleteDusty is always pinching cuddly toys, but only destroys his own. He just cuddles the ones he shouldn't have :-)
My dad came from North Norfolk and I still have relatives there. Glad it wasn't as bad down the East coast as it had been forecast. Stay safe, Teresa.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, totally agree with you, never underestimate the power of water. Nothing stops it once it's going either.
ReplyDeleteDusty make me laugh, I expect you have to stock up via charity shops etc for more toys? He seems to get through them at a rate...
What a character! :-)
Thanks, Keith. The North Norfolk coast always seems so vulnerable - lovely part of the country though.
ReplyDeleteIt is a powerful force for sure, Maria.
ReplyDeleteDusty usually has Kongs and rope toys to play with as he doesn't destroy those, but the sheep was just a treat (and the 3 he got on his birthday weren't from me). I hadn't thought of looking in charity shops for the soft toys - what a good idea. I'd probably be able to get something without the dreaded squeaker!
Glad the floods didn't cause you too much trouble, Teresa. Of course it's always to be safe than sorry. Glad Dusty is enjoying life :) Take care and have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicola - hope you have a lovely week too!
DeleteI think some people were actually complaining that they had been removed from their homes. I think the advanced warnings that they give these days are extremely helpful. Better to be safe than sorry. Lovely to see Dusty happily demolishing his toys. My friend gets all hers from a charity shop too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea about the charity shop toys. I was very tempted by a toy ostrich they had at the vet's today, but I know he'd have murdered it in a matter of minutes :-)
DeleteYou have to be careful you don't get one full of beads. I expect you already know that though.
DeleteThat's a good thought, Maggie - I'll make sure I check! He seems quite happy at the moment with the remaining scraps of his Christmas and birthday toys, so I won't be looking for a while.
DeleteGlad the precautions weren't needed, but agree with you that it was probably better to be slightly over cautious than have people unprepared if the flooding had been worse.
ReplyDeleteFor most people it was just moving anything of value upstairs, it doesn't take long to do that. I can imagine the outcry if there had been flooding and no one had been warned!
DeleteOh my, I just read "The Eyes Say it All," That is a story and a half. Glad you were safe and the tides were kinder than in 1953. My sister, who live sin Writtle, was telling me about the places along the coast, in danger, Jaywick etc. I also saw it on the news. It is a sobering thought, realising what our parents and grandparents went through. X
ReplyDeleteI think Jaywick caused the greatest concern this time and a lot of people were evacuated (along with their pets I believe). I hope your sister is keeping warm - Writtle was in the news for recording a temperature of -8 xx
DeleteThanks Teresa, Writtle seems to have a climate all its own. It has a heatwave when the rest of us are freezing and arctic conditions, now. My sister is known for exaggeration but I think she can be forgiven this time - it is true! ha ha! x
DeleteYes definitely colder in Writtle! xx
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