Storm Desmond - Everyone alright?

[elsiegee40]

Lancaster Uni Canoe and Boat clubs appealing for funds to repair the boat house. I'd have got a better degree if I hadn't spent so much time there

Save Lancaster Uni Boat House | GoFundMe

Edited December 8, 2015 by elsiegee40

[ellsandell]

Okay in my town (Mostly...) however I work in Carlisle (well all over Cumbria) and for the NHS so had a busy few days.

[Geoff]

getting a bit wet outside again...

[quiet_andy]

Glenridding was flooded again last night. I've been out all weekend with Mountain Rescue helping people, we were put on standby to help last night but they got everyone out before we were needed.

 

The scenes were unbelievable, just so heart breaking seeing peoples Christmas presents floating out of open doors and all the belongings ruined.

[elsiegee40]

Glenridding was flooded again last night. I've been out all weekend with Mountain Rescue helping people, we were put on standby to help last night but they got everyone out before we were needed.

 

The scenes were unbelievable, just so heart breaking seeing peoples Christmas presents floating out of open doors and all the belongings ruined.

 

Well done you and all the other mountain rescue people for an amazing effort. Let's hope you're not needed too much more this winter.

 

 

And in the press:

"Hammering, grim, brainless" How Storm Desmond hit Lancaster | UK news | The Guardian

[6Foot2]

Link: Weekly rainfall and river flow summary: Weekly bulletin: Wednesday 2 to Tuesday 8 December 2015 [Presentation: 4 page PDF]

 

[twin--turbo]

Yep bit of a woops moment up here.

 

Thought I would check in see how the Dry Contingent are

 

So Those that remember I moved to pastures new 22 Months ago and work for a Local Large Mutual Financial organissation ranked 10th amoung it's peers. We are 95% fine with little disruption other than one branch being flooded badly. We will sort that as soon as our fantastic teams will manage. We got off very lightly although it's been a more manic week than usual.

 

But going back to my education days, and I know my ex colleauges have much less time on their hands...

 

The floods in Carlisle did not come as a surprise on Sunday morning, Despite the fantastic defenses that have saved £180M+ of damage over the last 5-6 years paying for themselfs. The sheer quantity of rain, on top of 3 previous weeks of rain was far too much to comprehend. Strangely there is hardly any sign now, the rive is back in the channel...

 

For myself it's made little difference other than travel to work, the only city bridge over the river has been closed since saturday and is potentialy closed to next week at the very least. The impact on traffic has been heavy with the motorway and bypass routes being over saturated at rush hour. I took my car to work on Monday and gave up and left it there. Today I started early to miss rush hour but even at 4:30 it was nearly at saturation point.

 

So Onto our schools..

 

I can only realy comment on Secondarys and only on what I know.

 

Trinity has suffered bad flooding and I assume "Sutherland" is making every effort he can to get whatever services he needs to back on line. I suspect they have come of best of the "Triad" of schools in the river area as they are high up.

 

My own Sons secondary school next door lies the lowest of them all. It was devasteded in the 2005 Flood but they bounced back. We all have a strong spirit round here and I suspect the management will have a good written plan. Not good that my lad is not at schoold thought!!!!! "MARK" will be co-ordinating his efforts to re-equip damaged areas. His server room is 1st floor so hopefully got away with no damage to them.

 

My old work Richard Rose Central Academy also sufferd badly, but Mark Wood (Now Main NM) rescued the critical systems from the server room on Saturday. The Academy is on the site of my original employer St Aidans. The guys are working very hard and have Decampped to the sister site RR Morton where they have brought critical systems back on line. Doing sterling work and working the DR plan we kinda discussed. I wish I was there!

 

RRMorton, Closed to provide community support. Not sure if it's running but the guys have Central to concentrate on.

 

I have been in contact with the RR guys and wish I had time to provide more help. I learned a whole heap in the 2k5 Flood of St-Aidans , and also know the RR Systems quite well despite the time gap. Provided some info this evening to help with one issue which hopefully will get sorted one of the 3 ways...

 

 

Lots of questions to be answered by lots of parties. But as always we will bounce back stronger and harder..

 

TT

[twin--turbo]

It's strangely better and worse than 2005.

 

Less has flooded, but the areas flooded were hit higher for longer.

 

The waters receeded faster in 2005, the main bridge was probably closed less than 24hrs.

 

Fortunatly our northern bypass ( which has been mooted since the 70's) was approved and finished 3-4 years ago. without it transport would be totaly devestated. presently there is no way to get from southern to northern carlisle without a 3-4 mile trip.. I can wave at someone across the closed link but getting to walk to them is a mamouth task.

 

If the Civil Engineers give the bridge the thumbs down then there will have to be some very in depth talks over travel and traffic routing as the gridlock at peak hours is not good.

 

i am a pesemist though.. so things can only get better..

[twin--turbo]

PS...

 

What I would say if your a Network Manager. Is have a DR Plan.

 

It could be flood, fire, or other disaster.

 

Plan what you need,

What has to be on line and when,

Your Backups work,

You have a device to restore the backups,

You have your Disaster file with the plan and all the details of suppliers, contacts, etc.

Your Coms circuits.

Client Access.

You may think it is not to relevant in a school but it realy realy does matter.

If you don't have SIMS/PARS/etc up and able to server data in 48hrs of a disaster then I.T. is seriously hindering recovery.

 

 

TT

[twin--turbo]

Sit Rep update..

 

Newman - ( Sorry It's Colin not Mark ) Been in contact with Colin and They should be reopening in temporary accomodation in time for JAN. Lots of work to do but the servers were safe and I understand are in their own temporary accomodation till they can be moved. A hill of work to do but there are a number of people supporting the efforts . I have been fortunate to be able to offer 3days of whatever thanks to my Employer allowing all staff member 3 days paid leave to help the community.

 

Trinity - Again closed until the new year, not spoken to Sutherland but assume they are not as badly affected as the rest.

 

RRCA - Spoken to them a few times and they have done great work despite problems with ISP's

 

The Bridge..... ARG... Both the road bridge and seperate foot bridge across the river remain closed. Diving Engineers have been unable to start assesment work on the road bridge but it's understood that the piers already had scouring damage that if it has been serverly exasperated could undermine the foundations. It's hoped that they may be able to start the survey tomorrow but it's a gloomy prospect if it gets the thumbs down traffic is still chaotic.

 

TT

[Dos_Box]

Looks like Cumbria and Lancashire are being hit hard by rain once again. In my neck of the woods there are multiple flood warnings in my area and ICT Direct's base town at Ribchester is due to be flooded. They should be ok though as they are quite a bit back from the river and slightly uphill.

Here is the weather forecast for Preston today. I've never seen a red warning here before!

 

 

If you are in one of the affected areas today please stay safe.

Edited December 27, 2015 by Dos_Box

[StevieM]

Just seen Ribchester on the news and wanted to check on @ICTDirect_Dave and crew. Hope everyone else in affected areas is ok, too.

[FN-GM]

Rochdale center was flooded. We have been out of power knocking on for 48 hours, the sub station is flooded. They are putting these generators everywhere to provide power.

 

[Edu-IT]

Their social media team seems to be getting frustrated.

 

Edited December 27, 2015 by Edu-IT

[6Foot2]

Link: Flood warnings as Storm Frank due across parts of Scotland - BBC News

 

Scots have been advised to prepare for a wet and windy end to the year with Storm Frank due to sweep across much of the country on Tuesday into Wednesday.

 

The Met Office has issued weather warnings for wind, followed by heavy rain...

 

[twin--turbo]

Well we survived the weekend with no major incident up here.

 

I went for a walk yesterday, in the park there is an underpass with a Plaque showing the 2005 Flood level. Looking at the level of twigs and leaves stuck in the gate at the other end it would seem the level was ~1FT Higher!

 

The river is still very high and on the flood plains but it's shocking how low it is compared to how it was 3 weekends ago .

 

TT

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Just seen Ribchester on the news and wanted to check on @ICTDirect_Dave and crew. Hope everyone else in affected areas is ok, too.

 

The Ribchester floods were actually pretty tame compared to some of recent years. The Ribble burst it's banks in two places flooding the the Ribchester Arms pub (they're used to it though) but it didn't threaten any houses that weren't really prepared.

 

It was impressive to see the river a mile wide though!

 

Closer to home, the brook behind my house was close to bursting its banks, it rose over fifteen feet and started lapping at the pavement on boxing day. Fortunately that was as high as it got.

 

In to work today and you wouldn't notice there had been any rain, it's amazing how little trace the water leaves.

 

Hope everybody else is okay?