FLOODS CRISIS 2007

On Friday, July 20th, 2007, storm clouds gathered and a deluge of rain fell. The day started off normally regarding diary jobs. But come midday, Gloucestershire was gripped by flash flooding and utter chaos.

Saturday saw people reflecting on the events of the previous day. But come Sunday the real devastation came, as the rivers burst their banks.

This was to be the start of a week which saw me knee-high in water, in boats on flooded roads, a witness to panic buying of bottled water and photographing Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron, and the Princes Royal, as they visited the area to witness for themselves the devastation.

I also learnt a new word - "bowser".

A photograph of people queuing for bottled water at the very start of the crisis made the nationals - this is it on page three of The Daily Express.