Those of us who live in the Lower Lea Valley have experienced some relatively extreme weather in recent months, but unlike in previous centuries this has not caused the River Lea to burst its banks and inundate us with water. Historical records show that in bygone years the Lower Lea Valley was susceptible to frequent major floods, due to the character of its landscape and because flooding is a natural occurrence for the River Lea. Luke Howard. Photo: The Royal Meteorological Society Luke Howard (1772-1864) the ‘Father of Meteorology’ who lived at Bruce Grove in Tottenham, recorded that in January 1809, following prolonged heavy snow and then a rapid thaw and heavy rain: ‘The River Lea…channels by which it intersects this part of the country were united in one current above a mile in width which flowed with great impetuosity and did much damage…filled to the depth of eight or nine feet’ and the Lower Lea Valley was flooded for a month. Again in May 1824, Howard