Staines on Thames UK

We flew from Cyprus to Heathrow, London and our first port of call was the town of Staines on Thames in Surrey, UK, experienced one of its worst floods in decades. The River Thames, swollen by relentless rainfall that had saturated much of southern England, burst its banks, inundating homes, businesses, and roads.

The water levels rose rapidly, transforming streets into rivers and parks into lakes, overwhelming the town's drainage systems. Residents awoke to the sight of muddy water seeping into their homes, with some properties submerged up to their windows.

The impact on the community was immense. Sandbags lined the fronts of homes, but in many cases, they proved futile against the sheer force of the rising river. Many residents described feeling trapped, watching helplessly as the water crept higher with each passing hour. Some streets were only accessible by boat, and many homes sustained significant water damage, with personal belongings ruined by the flood.