However, they quickly realised the potential consequences when almost two feet of snow fell in one day?
At first, it was all seen as just more winter snow. Maybe slightly more fierce than usual – but certainly no worse than many Northern and Eastern European countries experienced for six months of the year. Consequently, our neighbours mostly ignored the situation. Unsurprisingly, the United States was, at first, oblivious of anything outside its own borders. Asia and Africa had their own problems, and excessive snow was a concept that those two continents could only appreciate with some difficulty.
However, there was a deal of interest being shown by British ex-pats. At any one time there are great numbers of British émigrés living abroad. From Australia and New Zealand to the United States and to France and Spain there are approximately 3.5 million people – either retired or still working with strong ties and close family back home. These people generally kept in contact with their families via text, phone, e-mail or by Skype.
On the evening (GMT) of the sixteenth of December, many of these ex-pats started to experience difficulty contacting their loved ones in the UK. Either the phone would not be answered or just not ring. Mobile phones would go direct to message and attempts at Skyping would fail.
Brits abroad were starting to monitor the position very carefully and it soon became clear to many of them that the UK was experiencing unprecedented weather conditions. After a devastating, yet completely honest and frank broadcast by the Prime Minister, which was picked up by non UK-based television stations and internet providers, ex-pats all over the world started to panic. Some tried to get immediate flights back to the UK, but to no avail – there were no flights into or out of Great Britain.
In addition, over the previous fortnight, around 1.5 million Brits had gone on holiday via aeroplane, car, train or ship. These people were now ready to return to the UK, but could not. Cruise ships and airlines dumped their passengers in foreign ports and travel hubs, threw up their hands and left them to it. Therefore, the world only started to take serious notice when 1.5 million British holidaymakers started jamming up airports and hotels causing confusion, distress, disruption and overcrowding.
Airlines also eventually acknowledged the problem, as their aeroplanes couldn’t fly to or from the United Kingdom. Thousands of flights and sailings were cancelled and, additionally, thousands of airline and ferry staff were also stranded. Tens of thousands of freight trucks, vans, cars and coaches were marooned at Channel ports – where the weather was also poor – adding to the chaos. The crowds of ferry passengers had been disgorged at the mainland termini and been left to fend for themselves. Cargo vessels due for the UK were forced to seek refuge elsewhere and many docks in Europe were rapidly filling to capacity.
Basically, there was nothing anyone could do – except employ crisis management. The weather was so bad by nightfall on the seventeenth of December that the UK had become, in effect, isolated.
No one could get in or out.
The knock on effect became devastating as Brits around the world were forced to sit it out wherever they were, relying on foreign hospitality. Many people had financial problems as their money ran out and hotels eased them onto the streets. This caused additional accommodation issues as 1.5 million British holidaymakers had nowhere to sleep and little to eat.
It was not now just a problem for the UK, but an issue of international proportions.
Insurance companies were also beginning to take note and no doubt were looking for excuses not to pay out. Surely, this was an Act of God? In the final analysis this weather would bankrupt the British financial system anyway – and most UK based insurance companies would be ruined by the consequences of the snow.
Therefore, as night fell on Day 3 of the crisis, the repercussions were being felt around the globe. Not only were the inhabitants of Great Britain suffering life-threatening hardship, but their families and friends abroad were experiencing heart-breaking anguish and crippling inconvenience.
Worse was yet to come.
*******
Even the British Government quickly realised the potential for disaster. The Prime Minister had been briefed by the Met Office – albeit too late - but was helpless to do anything – the UK just didn’t have the resources to cope, and his closest advisor, Sir Ian James, could only underline the severity of the problem:
‘The situation is extremely serious. If what the weather people are saying is accurate, we are to expect unprecedented amounts of snow in the next week. In general, this country is just not set up to deal with that much snow. Every year we get a few days of light accumulations and abject chaos is always the result. Councils are inadequately prepared – and who can blame them. Why should they spend sparse resources on anti-winter precautions and supplies, when there’s a damned good chance they’ll never be needed? This is not Norway or Finland where deep snow is a way of life!
COBRA ( Cabinet Office Briefing Room A ) should be set up to address priorities, but who are we going to get to sit on it? Who’s going to get here to advise you? From that perspective, you are probably lumbered with those people here now. Of course, the telephone and internet can get you in touch with Ministers and I’m sure that many are now trying to do the same with you at this very instant – Parliaments at Holyrood, Stormont and Cardiff included. However, very soon, if this continues, it's going to turn very rapidly into a personal survival situation – and even politicians have families! The essential issue to grasp is that this snow is not going to stop for at least a week – and we must identify how we are going to keep the population alive. That may seem overly dramatic – but how long will it be before water, electricity and gas supplies start to fail?’
And so it was. The PM was essentially hamstrung. Isolated and lacking in real resources he could do little but give the British population the hard facts of life ….and death!
The media had already pre-empted his inertia. They were by this time broadcasting to their viewers in the absence of government action:
‘This is the news at noon, from London, with Quincey Roberts.
The arctic conditions throughout the UK continue to cause havoc and a few minutes ago the Prime Minister declared a State of Emergency.’
Newscaster QuinceyRoberts paused to let the audience absorb the information:
‘Further details of this dramatic development will follow when we have them, and I am informed that the Prime Minister’s office will be issuing a full statement at 2pm. Until then the general public should check the internet for further details. The website to refer to is shown at the bottom of this screen. You should also keep watching your television, as we shall endeavour to keep you abreast of exactly what’s happening – or rather NOT happening – up and down the country.
It is becoming clear that the ferocity of the snowfall has taken the entire country by complete surprise. It has been snowing continuously now for eighteen hours and the blanket of snow extends to just about every part of England, Scotland, Wales and the east coast of Ireland. The United Kingdom is trapped in a weather system of unprecedented low-pressure, and can expect these conditions to continue for at least another week – or perhaps even longer.
The over-riding problem has been that the snow began on Sunday evening, and by the time that people started out for work on Monday morning, there were nearly six inches of snow lying across parts of the nation. 16.7 million commuters travel by car every day and workers found themselves in one of two situations – either they were trapped at home and couldn’t get to work – or the reverse, trapped at work and couldn’t get home. Consequently, the workplace is now primarily manned by the nightshift, which is quickly becoming very cold and fatigued.
In addition, the government is almost non-existent. Parliament went into recess for the Christmas holidays last Friday and just about every MP has returned to his or her constituency. The very new Prime Minister has been selecting his Cabinet, and MPs remain at home – awaiting a phone call. As a result, the Prime Minister’s o
ffice is manned by a skeleton staff, which is desperately attempting to get a grip of the situation.
The Arctic conditions have prevented the general population from travelling to and from work. People are just not prepared for the blizzard type conditions that now prevail across the country.
Public transport has already ground to a halt. Of course, we all know that the UK cannot cope with even the lightest snowfall and the current conditions have brought infrastructure to a standstill.’
Quincey’s irony was not lost on his audience.
‘Let me just sum up. All airports – civil and military - in the UK are closed. No trains in the UK are running and many people are stranded in carriages, which have stopped where the snow has overwhelmed them. The Underground has halted with many thousands trapped within. All seaports are closed and no ferries are running. Many thousands of travellers are stuck at ports and airports across the UK.
Now we come to the highway system. Just about all roads are now impassable.
There are literally thousands of vehicles abandoned in snowdrifts and an equal number of drivers and passengers either imprisoned in their cars or trying to walkout. Emergency vehicles are in the same dire straits, and cannot reach the sites of the countless road accidents which have occurred across the nation.
Sadly, we are getting reports of a growing number of deaths. Many of these have been as a result of drivers leaving their vehicles inadequately clothed.
The snow continues to fall and the government is now becoming increasingly concerned about light and heating supplies plus, more importantly, the supply of fresh water.
This channel can only reinforce the government’s instructions.
DO NOT GO OUT INTO THE SNOW.
That means, DO NOT GO OUT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.’
He paused again for the full impact of the message to sink in.
‘Stay indoors and keep warm. Keep watching the television and listen to the radio for help and instructions. Those of you with internet access should stay on-line and keep abreast of the situation.
Certainly, you will NOT be able to DRIVE. The roads are in gridlock. No public transport is running. We cannot even provide you with outside broadcasts from around the country, as conditions are just too bad. There will be no mail until further notice, or home deliveries of any kind. Shops are generally not open.
If you are watching this at work, do not attempt to travel home – unless you are adequately clothed and it is a reasonable distance to walk – probably less than a mile. The informed advice is to try and set up a central point at work, liaise with colleagues, work together as a team to try to stay warm and keep fed. In addition, try to conserve drinking water. Energy expended to melt snow to drink is a waste of resources, unless in an extreme emergency.
Clearly, there will be a surge in demand for gas and electricity. The government is requesting that the general population try and save as much power as possible. Families should congregate in as few rooms as possible – eat, live and sleep in one area. Do not heat empty rooms.
The government is recommending that all light industry shuts down to conserve energy. Shops should stay closed – except for food outlets if at all possible. Employers: if your staff members are at home, DO NOT put them under pressure to get to work!
The government is also taking steps to keep power stations in working order, but cannot legislate for broken power lines and the inability of repair teams to reach and repair them.
The weather continues to deteriorate and the general population should now prepare itself for siege-like conditions. The situation is quickly turning into a desperate one. You should all be aware that everyone is affected by this crisis and any help you might expect is probably not going to come.’
The newsreader had painted a grim but terrifyingly realistic picture of the situation. No punches were being pulled and it was clear to the PM that he had to act – whilst he still could!
His broadcast to the nation at 2pm was on only DAY 2 of the crisis. The Prime Minister raised his head and stared into the camera. He looked enormously worried, and his face was pale and drawn:
‘Good afternoon. I am speaking to you today as a result of the unprecedented snowstorms sweeping the country. As you may be aware, a State of Emergency has been declared, and is in effect for the entire mainland of the United Kingdom. This is the first time since 1974 that a government in the UK has had to invoke such powers granted under such a declaration. In essence, we need to take important and rapid steps to stem a serious threat to human life. I am advised that the current snowfall is set to continue for at least another week and, as a consequence, the State of Emergency will last for a similar time period.
We need to implement emergency preparedness plans in order to bring relief to the population of the UK, and it is inevitable that use of the Armed Forces will be necessary to assist the civil authorities.
Many of you will realise that the severity of the snowfall has caught the nation by complete surprise. Weather forecasters were unable to predict such a scenario as it is unprecedented, and has many of us stumped as to how such a weather system is possible at all. Nonetheless, it clearly is a reality and we must now react and cope with it.
For those of you not aware, all public transport is at a standstill – that is road, rail, sea and air. It is now virtually impossible to travel – except by foot. And this leads me onto my next major point.
Nobody, and I repeat, nobody should now leave shelter. Whether it be at home, work or a temporary refuge. If you are in a car, stay in it unless you feel confident about walking home or to a sturdy shelter. Be advised – you will get no support or assistance to reach safety. The Emergency Services are completely overwhelmed and in many cases are trapped themselves.
I regret to state that the situation is becoming so serious that it will soon be purely a survival scenario. Every man, woman and child will have to fend for themselves. If the weather does not break soon the entire country is going to shut down.
It pains me to say this, but there is absolutely nothing that the government or anybody can really do. If it keeps snowing at this rate, then inside a week the snow will be four or five feet, or more, deep. I don’t need to explain in detail the implications of such a situation. This country is simply not equipped to deal with these conditions – and, quite frankly, few countries on earth could cope. The current ferocity is irresistible.
I am sad to report that many thousands of people have already lost their lives – mostly frozen to death. Tragically, a car ferry has been reported lost, with all hands, in the Bristol Channel.
Perhaps that simple statement will underline the reality and gravity of the situation.
Panic is not an option. You cannot go outside for more than a few minutes, so you will be unable to interact easily with your fellow man. However, I do encourage you to pool resources with your friends, neighbours and family. Get into a small room and keep warm. Eat and sleep as a group. Do not waste energy or water. This advice is crucial. Power suppliers will be under great pressure to meet demand!
We are already receiving reports of downed power cables and blackouts.
Gas is also another commodity with a limited supply. If you have bottled gas, try to prepare to use it. Temperatures are predicted to drop as low as minus twenty degrees centigrade. Be advised that Butane will not operate at these temperature; however, Propane will burn.
Water is a serious problem. If pipework starts to fail and water supplies dry up, then this would present a serious threat to human life. Of course, you might think that there is an abundance of snow to drink, but the issue here is that it takes electricity or gas to provide heat to melt it. It's a decision that individual families will have to make. I do not recommend wasting energy by melting snow. Fill baths and any receptacles you have with fresh water – NOW!
I cannot over emphasise the seriousness of the situation. My own family is trapped out there in the snow, so I can empathise with those of you in simil
ar situations. However, I warn you. Going out into this weather will not help. You will only put yourself in severe danger.
In short, the country and its population are in an extremely precarious position.
We are all in it together. Nobody will be unaffected!
Transport and rescue services are severely constrained. It is not physically possible to deal with this amount of bad weather. Our neighbours in Europe are also suffering but not to the same degree that we are – so expect no immediate assistance from them.
We are desperately trying to think of ways to keep essential services going and will continue to do so in an effort to save the population at large.
However, I am not confident that we will be successful. If the snow doesn’t stop then we are all facing a particularly uncertain future.
I don’t know whether I will be able to speak to you again, so I wish you all the very best of luck and may your God protect you.
Farewell and keep safe’.
So, this was the situation just twenty-four hours after the first flakes of snow had fallen on northern Scottish hillsides. Just forty-eight hours and a major industrial nation had been brought to its knees.
The savagery and relentlessness of the storm had caught everyone on the hop.
Of course, every winter in the UK, one area or another would be hit by ‘freak storms, floods, winds or snowfall’ causing untold but only provincial damage. It would normally affect only relatively few people and as the snow receded, the general population would quickly return to normal, silently thanking the Gods that they were spared too much inconvenience or damage.
Naturally, the Media loved it!
People in the South of England were unable to readily empathise with ten-foot drifts in the Highlands of Scotland, or three-metre floods in Somerset. Moreover, of course, it was the government in the south of England that made all of the financial decisions. Why should they spend millions of pounds on legislating for ‘freak, one-off’ incidents? They could readily set up disaster funds for those worst affected and surely the insurance companies would pay out – eventually. That’s what insurance companies were for. But, unfortunately, not everybody had insurance – or indeed could even obtain it in vulnerable areas. There were 200,000 householders in the UK that simply couldn’t buy insurance for their ‘at risk’ homes!
Snow! The Series [Books 1-4] Page 43