Flood alert issued for Billing Aquadrome as Northamptonshire rivers swell with 36 hours of rain to come

[blackrose]

On 28/12/2021 at 15:00, matty40s said:

The strong streams advice went on for both the Nene and Great Ouse on Boxing Day morning, after days of on/off rain.

We havnt seen the sun here for weeks, and according to the metoffice, it isnt going to appear before the end of their extended forecast next Monday.

 

However, you do realise that the article you link to was last years, and Billing is not under any danger at present.

 

I was at Billing last year when all the static homes were evacuated. The boats weren't but apparently the aquadrome was close to being evacuated simply because the footbridge to the pontoons was covered by about two and a half foot of water and people couldn't get off the moorings to go and buy food, etc.

 

A crowd of moorers stood by the bridge staring at the water and looking bewildered as I strolled across the bridge in my chest waders & lifejacket. The firemen on the other side of the bridge smiled as behind me I heard people muttering to each other "Blimey, he's well-prepared".

 

I'm not trying to be condescending but honestly, if you live on a boat be prepared and invest in some equipment, especially if you live on a river. Most of the people at Billing don't even own a pair of wellies. They aren't really boaters - they're not interested in boats or the waterways. They're just people who for one reason or another happen to be living on boats.

[Das Boot]

On 30/12/2021 at 11:51, blackrose said:

 

I was at Billing last year when all the static homes were evacuated. The boats weren't but apparently the aquadrome was close to being evacuated simply because the footbridge to the pontoons was covered by about two and a half foot of water and people couldn't get off the moorings to go and buy food, etc.

 

A crowd of moorers stood by the bridge staring at the water and looking bewildered as I strolled across the bridge in my chest waders & lifejacket. The firemen on the other side of the bridge smiled as behind me I heard people muttering to each other "Blimey, he's well-prepared".

 

I'm not trying to be condescending but honestly, if you live on a boat be prepared and invest in some equipment, especially if you live on a river. Most of the people at Billing don't even own a pair of wellies. They aren't really boaters - they're not interested in boats or the waterways. They're just people who for one reason or another happen to be living on boats.

I live on a boat and own wellies. I rarely cruise. The only time I've used said wellies in the last 12 years was last winter. The flood level was its highest for 15 years and my high level gangway was 15cm under water. Didn't need a life jacket. Used the handrail. Most of my neighbours are similarly prepared. Because a lot of people on  the Nene are used to the excessive flooding that's been caused by allowing building on flood plains and meadows and the EA's (justifiable IMO) actions in preventing any further flood damage to historic Wansford. Billing is sadly very flood prone. Also a lovely place for people who want to get away from urban sprawls and use their static caravans or boats. I hope the problem can be resolved in some way and they can continue to enjoy it.