The Floods
Summer 2007 saw the County face it’s worst ever peacetime disaster as torrential rain and flooding brought chaos to the region. Gloucestershire Airport unexpectedly found itself at the forefront of emergency and relief operations as detailed in the report below. The Management Team at the Airport are extremely proud of the efforts shown by it’s staff during the crisis and the letters on the right of the page echo those sentiments.
By late afternoon on Friday 20th July, it was becoming apparent to Airport personnel that a serious situation was developing. The Airport's weather reports had recorded continuous heavy rain throughout the day, the grass areas were quickly becoming waterlogged and traffic delays could be seen on the surrounding roads. Non-essential staff were stood down and Airport Fire Crews were tasked with escorting staff and tenants' vehicles via the runways and taxiways to alternative airfield exits to avoid localised flooding and traffic problems. The local Police Air Support Unit helicopter, engaged on various tasks in the area acted as a liaison between Air Traffic Control and the first of the RAF Rescue helicopters en route to the scene from RAF Chivenor. A request was made for the Airport's opening hours to be extended to facilitate refuelling; the remaining Air Traffic Control and Fire Service personnel readily obliged and refuelled the first Sea King shortly before 9pm.
In consultation with the crew of this helicopter and the Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss, it was ascertained that more military helicopters would be operating throughout the night. Arrangements were made to replenish the Airport Fuel Bowsers from the bulk storage facility and, in conjunction with the Aviator Restaurant, food and drink was made available for the crews, some of whom had been on operational duty for many hours. Throughout the next 24 hours, over 30 000 litres of Jet fuel were dispensed to 10 RAF, Coastguard, Police and Air Ambulance helicopters engaged on rescue operations. Often the helicopters would remain 'rotors running' as the fuel was pumped before returning immediately to the scene.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, 8 casualties (and 3 cats!) had been brought to the Airport by the rescue helicopters. Fortunately, none were seriously injured and the Airport Fire Crew were able to provide first aid, shelter and warm, dry and welcome respite in the Terminal Building.
As dawn broke, the extent of the disruption locally was becoming clear. Fortunately, those staff living locally were able to reach the Airport to relieve their colleagues, some of whom had now worked 25-hour shifts. In one case, an Airport Fire Service Crew Commander, who serves as a Retained Fire Fighter at Tewkesbury and had been on duty throughout the preceding evening, was 'cut off' at Tewkesbury Fire Station. With some quick thinking and resourcefulness, ATC staff co-ordinated a 'rescue' from Tewkesbury that saw the individual winched aboard an RAF Sea King and delivered to the Airport where he could continue the efforts of his colleagues while the helicopter picked up more fuel. The Airport itself had suffered some limited flooding problems. Surface water up to a foot deep submerged runway lights over a 200m section and closed the main runway. Retaining its original wartime, 3-runway configuration, however enabled the Airport's fixed-wing operations to continue. The main runway remained out of service for around 24 hours, before draining naturally.
Across all departments, staff were volunteering to assist. Administrative, maintenance and support staff helped the rescued in the Terminal with everything from teas, coffees and transport to replacement reading glasses and even socks and shoes. The Aviator restaurant continued to provide food and drink for victims, staff and aircrews. Shift patterns were swapped and rearranged and an outstanding team effort enabled the Airport to remain open on a 24-hour basis for the next 4 days. The Airport's diesel generators supplied power during times of outage and sufficient water stocks were on hand to keep the operation running smoothly. An RAF Rescue helicopter remained on standby at the Airport throughout the period.
As rescue missions turned to relief flights over the subsequent days, the volume of air traffic in the area increased as news gathering helicopters, emergency service and military personnel and sightseers surveyed the scene from the air. On Tuesday 25th July, ATC provided services to 138 aircraft in the local area, in addition to the 311 that landed or departed from the Airport. With national awareness of the situation growing, the Prime Minister visited the area with the local MP's, holding a brief meeting with the Chief Constable in the Departure Lounge before departing by helicopter to London. Several days later His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall met senior Airport staff during their tour of the affected areas before making the short helicopter journey to Highgrove.
As the weather improved and roads reopened, airborne support operations began to gradually scale down. The Airport continued to handle its busy daily flights schedule, of course, with over 7000 arriving and departing flights during the month of July. At the same time, the ground-based operation to supply drinking water was beginning to escalate. Severn Trent Water's depot on the Airport's adjacent Meteor Business Park was becoming overwhelmed by the volume of traffic. In a pre-emptive move, and in co-ordination with Police Gold Command, arrangements were made to hand over a significant portion of the airfield to the Water Company. The north/south runway was temporarily withdrawn from operation, with the assistance of a number of tenants on that portion the Airport, aircraft were relocated to hangars on the south side and over 20 000m2 of apron and taxiway hard standing were made available. Specific safety measures were implemented to ensure aircraft operations could continue safely. Physical barriers were erected to segregate aircraft and vehicles and litter and waste was carefully managed.
The massive logistical operation began with several hundred vehicles loading and unloading 24-hours a day from all around the country, to keep drinking water supplies and Local Authority Fire Appliances topped up. Full supporting facilities, including lighting, toilets and showers were established on site. This operation will continue after tap water supplies are restored as the thousands of emergency bowsers deployed are returned to their respective owners. It is anticipated that the site will be vacated and returned to full operational status within approximately two weeks.
Clearly the Airport's role has been important during this crisis. In the initial emergency phase, the availability of fuel and facilities kept the rescue helicopters 'on task' with minimal delay. With Birmingham, and RAF Brize Norton as the closest alternatives; a forty minute return flight time away, lives were probably saved as a result. The central location, self-supporting facilities and space available have also served in the aftermath of the crisis to minimise the impact of the flooding.
The Management Team believes that the Airport is a key infrastructural asset to the region. The incredible events of the summer of 2007 clearly highlight the value to the local communities in times of emergency.
