It has been reported (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/uk_and_roi/article2295856.ece ) that Britain is to ask the EU for flood damage aid as the total bill for the 'summer' floods reached £2.7bn. This is rather unusual as this country is almost unique in relying on domestic insurance to cover most of the losses following such events. Even if the money is granted, it is likely to represent a percentage of the actual costs and will have to be spent (or returned) in a 12 month period. So what was the situation for Swansea and region over the last 2 months as we appear on the map accompanying the article to be a small 'island' of lesser rainfall? Apparently, we are one of the drier places (with 'only' a 160-200% increase rainfall over the May-July average for 1971-2000). That is still impressive but the longer term prediction is that our summers should become drier. Obviously, predictions in this area are far from being an exact science but at least the aquifers are currently full!
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