2012: the year Britain's weather turned dangerous [1]

The Guardian - 1/04/13, Damien Carrington

Record rainfall led to widespread flooding, killing nine people, ruining crops and costing the country billions

"It's been the year when flooding [2] became relevant to every part of the country. From the south-west to the north-east, every part of the country got hit," says Charles Tucker, chairman of the National Flood Forum [3], which represents more than 200 local community groups. "Flooding can now strike anywhere, and it needs to be recognised as the No 1 national emergency happening now."

The deluges that made 2012 England's wettest on record [4] left persistently sodden ground: fresh downpours caused rapid run-off and flash flooding in places once thought to be safe. In June, the forum helped people in West Sussex after homes were flooded [5]. "They were absolutely shocked – they are a community that had never been flooded before," said Tucker.

To read the rest of this story, visit The Guardian. [6]