Great Britain: Precipitation Unlimited

Not since 1727, when records began, had Britain suffered a wetter summer. When it came time for the heavy fall rains, the soggy earth could take no more.As gale after gale swept over nearly every county in England and Wales, the floods seeped out onto 150 main roads, bringing traffic to a standstill. Near Dover, a chunk of the famed white cliffs fell onto the railway lines. Swans swam placidly in the streets of (of all places) Bath. Last week it was still raining. Noted London's Evening Standard sourly: "The tanned appearance of many Londoners is not sunburn—it is rust."