Flooding Emergency: London's River Thames Barrier In Action!

This film starts by showing London's Thames Barrier at high tide with the barriers raised (ie: closed) and then shows some of them opening.
Also seen is the nearby Thames Barrier Park and from other visits in 2013 it also shows the river at low tide and some boats passing through the Barrier.

[@Tom-S1981]

This is what humans are capable of. Amazing feat of engineering.

[@jst1man]

It is one of the most amazing sites for sure!

[@babalonkie]

Nice video. One of UK's nice feat's. I believe since this video they have even raised the flooding and anti collision defences of each pier. They put a little water-tight "railing" on the top of each pier and thick metal sheeting over some of the exposed concrete. As is, without a overhaul, this barrier is good with general maintenance for another 30-40 years :) Tom Scott recently did a nice video on it too if you want to see inside :)

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

my concern is that water will just go around the sides!

[@babalonkie]

@@CitytransportInfoplus The barrier can allow water underneath if they want to allow water through but still stop flooding, it allows them to stop a tidal flow. Water does not go around the barrier unless they want it to. The barrier has gates all the way across the river, however they often only need to close the inner/middles gates and often can leave the outer gates open. Water follows the path of least resistance and lowest plain. All habitable mainland around the river is MUCH higher than the waterline (or they would fill with ground water and flood without the rivers help) with the exception of tunnels etc. The embankment walls are MUCH higher and sturdier than the flood gates (it's hard to make out whilst standing on the sides). If there is a surge higher than the walls... you have a much bigger problem than central London flooding and the Thames becomes irrelevant to the problem... Water would come in from the ocean over land if it's surging that high... meaning half the country would get flooded and if that happens... it's no Longer about protecting London or people around the Thames... it's officially a national disaster. Watch Tom Scott's video if you want to learn more about the barrier itself as he was allowed to go inside (A VERY rare privilege). EDIT: Side note, there is a low pressure north of Scotland and will move ESE over the next couple of days... not so dissimilar to 1953... the great London Flooding... So i bet those gates will be in heavy use over the next couple of days ;) (Some footage or sights for those interested).

[@elisabethj.v.beardsell9853]

Those hut things remind me of The Sydney opera house😊😊

[@Thomashorsman]

I don’t know why I was expecting a tidal wave after the barrier opened

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

(speculation) this is yet to come - waters will go round the sides of the raised barrier

[@markcangila1613]

It allows controlled flow under the barriers which lrevents a sudden tidal wave

[@babalonkie]

@@markcangila1613 This.

[@clovelly1946]

Just looking at them majes me scared.theyr very forboading...

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

scared? it makes me marvel at the engineering!

[@amyhatto4420]

Barbara-Louisa walker I agree! They don’t look nice

[@sabinebozenaesskali9174]

the thames barrier is opening very very slow

[@mstar9248]

Don’t forget to play in double speed

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

I saw on the TV news today (21 Oct 2021) that the Thames Barrier was used 'in anger', as a precaution.

[@Rod-bp8ow]

Planted by the waters, by the word, the cubic measurements accordingly. KJV 1611. The mysteries of the book of LIFE. Preserved.

[@realsolo5569]

zeh floating city zeh rottterdammnnnmmmm

[@realsolo5569]

zeh barrier reef zeh trench has plastic he built a contraption for Monterey bay area zeh Wales red tide #redsnow algal bloom we lost a jack herb he.... they're from ben hill county o h yessss

[@realsolo5569]

I literally looked identical to og Nathaniel Washington's biological $! a 1 .. 2 how many licks does it take to get they were like ur light skinned like the chris cross to make yah that's what's going to happen to you not!! everyday we wit our teammm

[@realsolo5569]

Taylor m..massey so I wa like billll gates....billlllll gatessss 7thg grae wan look on they news ray rice saw from turgers he.