Rural flooding is no new phenomemon.

John Clare's description of the sodden countryside, complete with "brimming drains," belongs to early Victorian times. As always he has an acute eye for detail.

THE FLOODS COME O'ER THE MEADOW LEAS

The floods come o'er the meadow leas,

The dykes are full and brimming,

Field furrows reach the horse's knees

Where wild ducks oft are swimming;

The skies are black, the fields are bare,

The trees their coats are losing,

The leaves are dancing in the air,

The sun its warmth refusing.

Brown are the flags and fading sedge

And tanned the meadow plains,

Bright yellow is the osier hedge

Beside the brimming drains;

The crows sit on the willow tree,

The lake is full below:

But still the dullest thing I see

Is self that wanders slow.