The Guardian view on flooded Britain: breaking the waves | Editorial

The mitigation measures promoted by ministers are important, but a new focus on climate and energy policies is neededWhen Sue Marshall was evacuated from her home in Fishlake, near Doncaster, after the town was flooded in November, she told the Guardian: "What we need to know is that in two months' time, the MPs will revisit this and look at what has been done to stop it happening again." Barely three months have passed since rains described by experts as a once-in-60-years weather event. Yet parts of Britain are once again underwater.Some of the worst-hit areas, such as Rotherham, were also badly affected in November. The latest heavy rains, brought by Storm Dennis, have also devastated parts of Wales, with a "major incident" declared at the weekend after more than a month's rain fell in 48 hours, leading to landslides and people being trapped in their homes. Pontypridd town centre was underwater and surrounding villages were told by the Met Office they could be cut off for days. Hundreds of warnings remain in place, while thousands of homes have been flooded. At least three people have been killed in storm-related incidents, including a woman who disappeared after her car got stuck in water near Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire. Continue reading...