Credit where credit’s due
The last few days have been traumatic for a lot of people living around Lichfield and Tamworth who have seen the power of nature first hand in the form of mass flooding.
Fazeley and Elford were the worst hit areas and whilst there are lessons to be learned and questions to be answered about how the flooding happened in the first place as well as aspects of how it was dealt with I am hugely impressed how the 24/7 cleanup operation has been delivered by the Authorities, local councillors and, of course, local people. There has clearly been a massive operation to try and visit and give advice to as many people as possible who have been affected.
I’m currently talking to those affected about there experiences and how they are trying to get back to normal. The farming community has been hit badly. The sheer scale of the flooding means that, very sadly, livestock has perished. That means that farmers’ livelihoods are at risk and also means a considerable amount of work for the animal welfare and public health Agencies. I am hopeful that insurance will help on the business side of things for farmers but the emotional effect that losing their animals has had is truly moving.
The training which those responsible for dealing with emergencies undertake can never completely accurately imitate what the real situation is like when it happens. I will be seeking answers to important questions about things from flood warnings and flood defences to operational issues but one thing I am entirely confident about is that, difficult as it was for so many people, going through an experience like the last few days will have provided first hand learning which will be invaluable to how serious incidents would be handled in the future.
Thank you to everyone involved and remember there is a massive operation in place to help with most aspects of what has happened if you have been affected. It goes without saying that if you have issues or problems you think I can assist with or should know about please call me or use the Contact facility.
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3 comments
Matthew, the last couple of days have seen a noble effort to try and get things back to normal. That does not cancel out the fact that people in iour road are angry about what happened on Staurday.
I’m a bit surprised about the contrast between your latest posts on this. I’m sure you would say you are offering a balanced view but don’t forget we want answers on what went wrong and will be chasing you if they aren’t forthcoming.
That said, thanks for your efforts to date.
Pete
Peter
Thanks for your comments. I’m not sure where you live but what I’ve tried to do with my weblog is to write things as I have seen them first hand and my two posts, I believe, reflect that.
I’ve talked to probably 300 people in Fazeley and Elford since last Saturday and views are broadly similar. In very difficult times Elford saw a mainly sucessful operation by the Authorities with enormous efforts from local councillors and local people.
In Fazeley the first half of Saturday was very difficult for everyone including the Authorities. A lot of local people lost their possessions and had their homes badly damaged, some without adequate insurance.
Yes, of course there are questions to be answered from what flood defences were in place to why no sandbags were available earlier in the day to how farmers and their livestock could have been assisted more.
The efforts of all concerned have, over the last few days, gone into an operation to help people. I think, and so do most I talk to, that has been well planned and well executed.
People have every right to know why and how this happened and how the various aspects were handled and you can rest assured that when the cleanup operation is over I, and others, will ensure that answers to the questions will be made public.
Mr Ellis, a word of thanks for your help during the first morning of the flooding in Fazeley. People in our road are grateful for what you did when little else was happening to help people. The leaflet you sent around yesterday was also greatly appreciated and shows that you are a stayer when it comes to people in Fazeley. Thank you.
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