May is always a special time in the UK with not one but two Bank Holiday Weekends giving us all some cherished time off. What a stunner they were, quite literally with glorious weather turning nasty quite quickly and in a sense – sadly and tragically for some – going from ‘heaven to hell’ rather fast as I’ve written about earlier in Disaster Preparedness – what Disaster? Why Preparedness?

Did you witness this?

Over 405 000 lightning flashes detected over Europe and the Mediterranean in the past 48 hours! Most of Europe, except Scandinavia and eastern Europe had thunderstorm activity! Map: @Blitzortung_Org pic.twitter.com/CCSaxR65m9

— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) May 28, 2018

Storms cause flash flooding in Birmingham – some places seeing more than a month’s rainfall in an hour https://t.co/RVEB5CYTq2 — BBC Weather (@bbcweather) May 28, 2018

@thameswater My house is flooding because your drains are blocked!!! I’ve been on hold to your emergency number for over half an hour and my house is getting damaged!! How on earth do I get through! pic.twitter.com/LjP4mH5pgk
— Ank K. (@Ank1978) May 27, 2018

 

Local help was quick and is another excellent showcase for UK Community Resilience, the power of volunteering and how it pays to be kind

Team Rubicon Greyshirts deployed to #Birmingham today to support after localised flash flooding. We assisted residents with removal of sodden & soiled carpets, flooring and water damaged furniture. Thanks everyone! https://t.co/ylIMM9nwq6 #FlashFlood #volunteering pic.twitter.com/AFBaj3cZey — Team Rubicon UK (@TeamRubiconUK) May 28, 2018

#Northampton #Sikh #community volunteers on St Leonard’s Road Northampton today providing food and refreshments to residents and emergency services dealing with the devastation of last nights #flooding @SikhPA @BBCLookEast @itvanglia @ChronandEcho @mycountycouncil @northantsfire pic.twitter.com/Vzycg0eL0N — Amarjit Singh Atwal (@Amarjitsatwal) May 28, 2018

… but despite best efforts, tragedy struck

Despite the efforts of ambulance staff and firefighters, tragically, an elderly man has died after a flooding incident https://t.co/SA1CLXIG5b pic.twitter.com/zg9vnNY4kI — West Midlands Ambulance Service (@OFFICIALWMAS) May 28, 2018

 

Better personal preparedness saves lives and property. This concerns us all as we are experiencing the consequences of living in a world that is 2C or more warmer. Pro-active preparedness is key and there is much that everyone can do including better personal safety and better personal preparedness.  It’s all about personal capacities and capabilities and what that exactly means (what you must plan and prepare for) and looks like is different for every person. However, it all starts the same way for everybody:

GET A KIT. MAKE A PLAN. BE INFORMED.

 

Better emergency preparedness saves lives and property. It’s easy: get a kit, make a plan, be informed 👉 https://t.co/A4fhwjsVSf#Aylesbury #Birmingham #Newbury #Northampton #Wolverhampton #Walsall #Welshpool #Worthing #flooding #floodaware #healthandsafety #TuesdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/hgZM08ElVS

— EVAQ8 Emergency Kits (@EVAQ8_news) May 29, 2018

 

This website and blog offers lots of very useful tips so take a good look around and start building your personal preparedness today. Head to our preparedness hub, browse the blog navigation here on the right as well as the top navigation of the website. And remember to follow us on social media for more info, updates and resources.

Summer 2018 is here! Enjoy it and stay safe at home and during your travels. Always stay #weatheraware #floodaware, know about #preparedness and be better prepared.

Monika
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