No one envisaged a drought coming at the same time as a flood. But that is exactly what happened in parts of the UK last summer when rivers broke their banks and supplies of drinking water were severely disrupted. Chaos reigned as thousands of people were evacuated from their homes. Many houses and businesses were without power and water, and emergency services were overrun. Saintbridge Pharmacy in Gloucester is connected to the road and town by a small bridge over a brook. There the water rose so quickly that there were only 20 minutes between the brook bursting its banks and the pharmacy and adjoining medical centre being a foot deep in water.
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