Flood Page #3

under control.

But, yes, the Prime Minister will

be flying home from Sydney.

You can bet he's very keen to be here for

and with the British public at this time.

Deputy Prime Minister!

Deputy Prime Minister!

- Yes?

- Why was there no warning?

Well, just at this present time we're

concentrating on managing the situation.

The latest figures from

the Met Office...

indicate that the storm is heading

eastwards out into the North Sea.

Deputy Prime Minister, are you

saying that the danger has passed?

Well, yes, yes.

I'm very pleased to be able to say

that the indicators at the present time...

show that our coastline

is no longer under threat.

- Deputy Prime Minister

- That's the last question. Thank you.

- (Shouting)

- Sir?

There's a gentleman in reception.

I explained you were busy, but he

won't take no for an answer.

He's insisting on seeing you.

- Who?

- He says his name's Leonard Morrison.

- Sam.

- It's OK. He's fine.

- Sorry to have to trouble you.

- No, it's fine. We'll talk in my office.

- Tonight's is the highest

tide of the year.

Yeah, which is why we are

closing the barrier.

My computer model is predicting

that the storm and the surge

will reach the mouth of the

Thames Estuary at high tide.

This means that the volume of water

moving upriver will be massively amplified.

Don't underestimate the Barrier.

It's designed for problems like this.

Not this much water!

Sam, you know I wouldn't come here...

Have you spoken with your old colleagues

at the Environment Agency?

They're not taking my calls.

You're saying... the confluence

of storm, surge and tide...

Could be catastrophic.

(Hopkins) This doesn't make any sense.

It was heading east towards Holland

two hours ago.

This wasn't meant to happen.

It's heading straight for us.

- Commissioner Nash.

- Sam Morrison..

- Hi Sam What can I do for you?

- We may have a problem.

I've got Leonard Morrison here.

He's an expert in the field.

Professor Morrison has

uncovered some worrying data.

According to this, it looks as though the

storm and today's spring tide could collide,

resulting in a volume of water so great

that it could override the Barrier.

Info.

- Let me get right back to you.

- Of course.

Excuse me, Leonard.

(Penny) Morrison's an

environmental scientist.

He was chief analyst at the

Flood Hazard Research Centre,

and sat on a Parliamentary

advisory committee

which reported on the

siting of the Barrier.

The report he submitted

outlined a key flaw.

He reckoned that the Barrier

was situated in the wrong place

and recommended that it be built closer

to the mouth of the Thames Estuary,

closer to the sea.

Basically, his concern is that

under certain tidal conditions

the Barrier could be overwhelmed.

Get me Sam Morrison again.

He just turned up.

- He's here about the Barrier.

- Yeah, of course he is.

Look. I know that this is

really bad timing, but

we need to listen to what

your father has to say.

- I don't care what he has to say.

- If this storm changes direction...

Is that what this is about?

No, don't... don't tell me.

Storm surge coincides with the spring

tide, and the Barrier won't hold.

- Am I right? - Yeah. I've seen

the forecasting on his model.

- It's a very real possibility.

- I don't believe this.

You still don't get it, do you?

This is an obsession!

This obsession destroyed our lives!

He's wrong but he could never admit it!

Even though that meant

losing his own family.

My mother died heartbroken

because of this.

Why should I listen to him now?

Just hear your father out.

And you, Hopkins?

What's the latest position?

The storm has dramatically altered

its course within the last hour.

It's likely to hit the southeastern coast

of England later this afternoon.

- Can you be more specific?

- Gales up to 80 miles an hour.

So we should anticipate considerable damage.

You're all missing the point.

With respect, Professor Morrison,

this is hardly an appropriate

forum for your theories.

- According to my computer model.

- Must we?

Forecasts from the Met Office and

Environment Agency

haven't been very accurate so far.

Sorry, Professor. Please continue.

Assuming no change in wind conditions,

my figures indicate that this storm,

and the tidal surge travelling with it,

will reach southeast England

and the Thames Estuary at high tide.

What does that mean?

The combined volume of water will

overwhelm the Thames Barrier.

So, what, are you saying that

central London is now at risk?

I'm afraid I am.

And I'm not talking

here about a single wave.

This is an event that

could last for hours.

So, which areas are most at risk?

The danger zone includes the Docklands

Light Railways, 68 Underground stations,

three World Heritage sites at risk,

eight power stations, dozens of museums,

and, of course, your location in Whitehall.

What does this mean in

terms of population?

Approximately one and

a half million people

either live or work within

the flood danger zone.

How long have we got?

Figures I've received from the Met Office

indicate that the storm will reach

the Thames Estuary three hours from now.

Dear God! That's seven o'clock this evening!

Why didn't anyone see this coming?

Well, somebody did.

We need to initiate evacuation

protocol immediately.

The longer we delay the

decision to evacuate,

the greater the risk of there

being substantial casualties.

Sir?

Do it.

Rob!

Thanks for... in there.

Well.

It look s like you were right.

I'm sorry I didn't believe you.

In fact, I'm sorry about a lot of things.

Hey! Coming back in a half an hour.

I'll win back every penny. All right?

London Underground asks

that all passengers

keep their belongings with

them at all times.

If any bags are left unattended

they will be removed and destroyed.

- Takes years of practice, of course.

- Yeah, you should maybe be on the telly.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

Kate. Now, listen, I want

you to do something for me.

No, don't ask questions. Just listen.

Get in the car, take the family, and get

as far away from London as you can.

I want you to drive as fast as you can.

No, no, look, Dad... Dad's here

with me at the Barrier.

Don't ask questions,

just do what I'm saying!

Kate, listen, listen.

Dad was right all along.

Yeah.

Goodbye.

Track down the girls for me. They

should be leaving the cinema now.

- Penny, make sure you call home too.

- Ma'am.

It was my understanding...

the emergency services would

receive at least 12 hours'

clear warning of a major flood alert.

And we've had barely three. What

the hell have you people been doing?

When this gets out, there's going to

be panic on an unprecedented scale.

We have less than three hours

before the surge hits the Barrier.

How long can we keep

the Underground running?

We'll have to clear the lines

an hour before the water hits.

- But that only gives us two hours.

- Less.

To clear the tunnels by 6.20,

London Underground have to

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