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Flood - ITV1 - Sunday 4th May and Monday 5th May |
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Written by Telly Addict
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Sunday, 27 April 2008 |
Flood, the long awaited topical drama, finally arrives on ITV1 at 8pm on Sunday 4th May and continues at 9pm on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May
A storm of hurricane-like proportions crashes into the north coast of Scotland, devastating the small town of Wick. Things get worse as a flood sets in and destroys everything in its path. The tidal reading is getting higher and a flood warning is put out as homes are destroyed and casualties increase.
Meanwhile, hundreds of miles further south in London, everything is calm and the city shines in all its glory; its architecture, iconic river and the impressive edifice of the Thames Barrier gleaming in the sunlight.
Back in Wick the flood is getting worse. The news channels are now showing shocking images of houses submerged and the death toll is increasing. Rob Morrison (Robert Carlyle), the head of Atlantis Engineering is contacted by one of his staff who is in Wick where he is experiencing firsthand the extent of the damages as the storm continues.
For the staff of the Thames Barrier it is a normal day and Sam (Jesslyn Gilsig) is getting on with her day to day duties. Sam is fully aware of the storm in Wick and is keeping a close eye on the tidal gauges.
The Deputy Prime Minister (David Suchet) is being briefed about the extent of the storm in Wick. His advisors are telling him the worst is over, but is it? The Deputy Prime Minister decides to visit the area to see first hand the destruction brought by the storm. When he gets to Wick, he cannot believe his eyes when he sees the casualties and it hits him how serious the situation really is.
Meanwhile Rob is called to the Thames Barrier for a maintenance check. His ex-wife Sam is the Thames Barrier#39;s Director of Operations and she is the last person Rob wants to see. Meanwhile his estranged father, engineering genius Professor Leonard Morrison (Tom Courtenay) is desperately attempting to contact the Thames Barrier's command with a warning about the potential ineffectiveness of the structure. Having received news that his colleague in Wick has drowned, and with the soaring water levels and a unique set of weather conditions closing in, Rob realises that his father's worst predictions are coming true. The reality is that the storm and the seasonal high tide will soon converge in the Thames causing a colossal surge, big enough to flood London.
Leonard explains to the Deputy Prime Minister that the Thames Barrier will not withstand the high tide which is now due in just three hours. The storm has changed its path and is heading south. One and half million people live or work around the flood danger zone so they must act quickly. After a dramatic forecast of the devastation to come from crisis control centre, COBRA, headed by Patricia Nash (Joanne Whalley) the Deputy Prime Minister orders London to be evacuated. But is it too late? They have not got long but Rob, Sam and Leonard must put aside their personal differences to mount an operation to save London from certain destruction.
There is panic on the streets of London and then the unthinkable happens: the Barrier is overwhelmed by an immense and terrifying surge. Water flows into London at a terrifying rate and volume, causing panic on the underground as the torrent cascades through the tunnels. Underground workers Zak (Tom Hardy) and Bill (Angus Barnett) are stuck in the tunnel with other commuters as the devastation continues and the city's landmarks, Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Big Ben are all submerged.
Rob, Sam and Leonard are trapped at the Thames Barrier and Rob suggests they all jump for it to try and survive. Sam and Rob jump into the Thames but Leonard is too frightened to go through with it. He stays where he is as he loses sight of Rob and Sam. Leonard is rescued by a helicopter sent by the crisis control centre but he is concerned for his son's safety.
The hospitals are chaotic and eight million Londoners are about to become heroes or victims as they struggle to survive the biggest disaster Britain's capital has ever faced.
This is turning out to be the worst natural disaster Britain has faced in living memory as the extent of what has happened unravels. The Deputy Prime Minister (David Suchet) is frantic as the situation continues to worsen.
There are people everywhere trying to survive the deep flood waters, but will their efforts be in vain? Professor Leonard Morrison (Tom Courtenay) is back at the COBRA crisis control centre, and he is their last chance of hope. They need his help desperately but his mind is elsewhere thinking of his son and daughter-in-law, not knowing whether they are still alive.
Unknown to Leonard, Rob and Sam Morrison are still fighting for their lives. They discover survivors on their route to survival which gives them hope for the rest of the city.
Professor Morrison is still sure that everybody is still at high risk unless they do something quick. He starts making his calculations as he knows his son is still out there somewhere. He gets the phone call he has been waiting for as Rob and Sam have narrowly escaped the Barrier with their lives. Between them they have decided there is only one way to save the city from total devastation; they must return to the submerged control room on the barrier and implement a high-risk plan to drain the city of water.
Thousands of people have been reported stranded in the city and the emergency services have been stretched to their limits trying to evacuate everyone at risk. The view of the city is one of total carnage as bodies float in the water and survivors look few and far between with no food, water or warmth.
The team only have one chance, it's a race against time and the lives of millions of Londoners are in their hands. Sam, Rob and Leonard are re-united to save London but who will go to the barrier and sacrifice their own life and will it be enough to save London and its inhabitants?
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