Tackling storms is the ‘biggest emergency operation since the Blitz’

Rescue effort: Soldiers place sandbags around a house in Chertsey, Surrey (Picture: Ministry of Defence)

The biggest emergency response since World War II has been mobilised to deal with the storms.
More fire and rescue personnel have been deployed than at any time since the Blitz, Peter Holland – the government’s chief fire and rescue adviser – confirmed tonight.
About 70 per cent of crews in England and Wales are now involved in the flood relief effort.
On a visit to Somerset, Chief Fire Officers Association president Paul Fuller praised the operation.
‘The valiant efforts of fire crews in Devon, Somerset and other services across the country, who have been working tirelessly to help those affected by flooding should be recognised and applauded,’ he said.
‘In the face of exceptionally poor weather conditions, they have provided invaluable assistance to people whose lives and livelihood are under threat
.’

Storm front: A sign for a bed and breakfast guesthouse in Blackpool after it was ripped off in the high winds (Picture: Alamy)

Since early December almost 6,000 homes and businesses have been flooded, while hurricane-force winds swept in on ‘Wild Wednesday’ to compound the problems.
Crews have been dispatched from around the country to help colleagues in the worst-hit areas.
There are currently 20 fire and rescue services sending manpower and resources to the flood-stricken areas of Somerset. Staff have travelled from as far afield as West Yorkshire to support Devon and Somerset colleagues and residents affected by the flooding.
Around Berkshire and Surrey, about 100 troops from 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers are in Wraysbury, while more than 300 are in Windsor, Datchet and Chertsey.
The burden on the emergency services is likely to increase as a fresh storm arriving today poses a flood risk to hundreds more properties.
The military has also joined the effort, with more than 2,000 personnel from all three branches committed to weather response tasks and thousands more at a state of ‘high readiness’.
Meanwhile, in one region residents trying to save their properties have been asked to pay for sandbags.
Christchurch Borough Council in Dorset has been asking locals to pay £30 for a ‘flood pack’ of four standard sandbags and one to protect doorways.
Steve Richards told the Bournemouth Echo: ‘My brother bought 50 at an incredibly high cost but 50 sandbags goes nowhere. We feel so helpless.’
It prompted David Cameron to insist local authorities should not be charging for sandbags in flood-hit areas as central government would cover the cost.
Christchurch council said the £30 charge was to cover its costs.