Storms Dennis and Ciara won't beat us Brits | Blaise Tapp

During the past few weeks we have taken our fair share of a battering from Storms Ciara and Dennis.

There is a compelling argument to be had as to whether certain areas are too vulnerable to flooding, largely due to lack of funding or inadequate infrastructure.

The storms, over successive weekends, brought with them tragedy, financial ruin as well as forcing families from their homes.

For days every news bulletin featured interviews with forlorn homeowners who had spent hours vainly attempting to mop away any evidence of floodwater.

Some, with justifiable anger in their voices, spoke of a feeling of betrayal at having experienced flooding for a second, and in some extreme cases, a third time.

I have nothing but praise for those who are now single-handedly putting their lives back together.

I wouldn’t know where to start, especially given the fact that I was left all at sea after Dennis the Menace relieved me of two fence panels. I heard them go just after four on Sunday morning, with my first thought being ‘that’ll cost me’.

I am to DIY what Donald Trump is to foreign diplomacy. Even the hammering in of picture hooks is off-limits for fear of the chaos I might wreak.

It is this cack-handedness that is at the root of my admiration for people who, despite suffering the worst of luck are rebuilding their homes and their businesses.

Hundreds of millions of pounds is likely to be claimed from insurers but many of those affected won’t want to wait for a visit from somebody in a suit with a clipboard to tell them they haven’t got the right sort of cover.

It is this demonstration of collective resolve that shatters the lazy stereotype that Brits are somehow inferior to those from other nations when it comes to coping with the elements. While our roads, rail network, drains and flood defences may leave an awful lot to be desired, we step up when it really matters. Well, most of us do.