| Some attribute it to global warming; others simply | | | | to allow them to take to the air for most of the event, |
| blame freak weather conditions, but whatever the | | | | leaving organisers rueing their luck. |
| cause of the atrocious amount of rain which swept | | | | Over the past two years summer flooding has |
| across the UK, the summer of 2008 will go down in | | | | become a common problem across the UK, and it's |
| history as one almighty washout. | | | | not just events that have suffered as many residential |
| Countless music festivals and other prestigious | | | | and commercial properties have also flooded. |
| specialist outdoor exhibitions and events have all fallen | | | | Torrential downpours cannot be absorbed as the |
| victim to the weather leaving many organisers painfully | | | | ground quickly becomes saturated leaving the water |
| counting the cost of abandonment and forcing some | | | | to simply run-off to the nearest lowest point, quickly |
| to even consider whether they can afford to stage | | | | swelling rivers and creating chaos for dwellers not only |
| such events in the future. | | | | on flood plains but also those in localised water |
| One of the 2008 summer's shock abandonments was | | | | collection points. Most flash flooding occurs because of |
| the prestigious Ebor horse race meeting held annually | | | | massive and sudden rainstorms overwhelming aged |
| during the third week of August at the Knavesmire in | | | | flood defences and drains that are often not equipped |
| York. Usually a sun-scorched extravaganza, with tens | | | | to deal with such powerful summer surges. That is |
| of thousands of race-goers enjoying top quality racing, | | | | because they are primarily designed for winter flooding |
| the entire meeting was scrapped this summer | | | | which is a different condition altogether as the water |
| because of a waterlogged track after four times the | | | | levels rise more slowly and therefore are more |
| average rainfall for the month fell on the course during | | | | manageable. |
| August. The same week, the much-awaited 20/20 | | | | Indeed, it was flash flooding that created widespread |
| cricket international between South Africa and England | | | | chaos on Humberside and in the South West during |
| at Riverside in Durham also became a victim of the | | | | 2007 and unfortunately there have been many |
| atrocious weather as the playing surface flooded, | | | | instances of similar but less severe localised flooding |
| much to the disappointment of many cricket fans who | | | | reported during the summer of 2008. |
| had bought tickets well in advance. | | | | Unfortunately, many people living in such areas are |
| But, it wasn't just sport that fell victim to severe | | | | finding that a new home insurance quote now comes |
| unseasonal precipitation. Other visitor events such as | | | | with a higher excess amount as well as higher |
| the Bristol Balloon Fiesta went ahead but suffered | | | | premiums, due to their exposure to risk of flooding. But, |
| financial losses as the venue became waterlogged | | | | with a promised £1billion government investment |
| causing many potential visitors to abandon their plans. | | | | in new flood defences to come, perhaps their misery |
| Furthermore, mass balloon take-offs and flights were | | | | may be short-lived. |
| severely curtailed as the weather was simply too bad | | | | |