Yahoo Finance Londoners count cost of ‘terrifying’ floods as communities rally to help victims
Londoners have been left counting the cost of the trail of destruction caused by Sunday’s “terrifying” flash floods.
Community groups sprung up across the capital on Monday to help out residents whose homes had been destroyed by the raging waters.
Victims described cleaning up raw sewage that flooded their homes and dealing with the damage caused by water pouring through letterboxes as sewers became overwhelmed by the deluge.
In Walthamstow, food banks were closed by the carnage and a temporary flood relief group was set up as residents pulled together to help those affected.
Lesley Finlayson, 60, who lives in Wood Street, told the Standard: “I have lived here all my life and I have never seen anything like it.
“It was dreadful. I could not believe the water. It was just like a river, the speed, pressure and power. People just didn't know what to do. The water was so deep.
“People were just coming out with buckets of water. The electrics were all out. One of our neighbours four days ago had a brand new kitchen fitted and it’s completely ruined now.
“Even with the water gone, the pavements are ruined. It’s heartbreaking what some people on our road have gone through. But the community has been fantastic, pulling together. That’s what it’s like around here.”
We got flooded yesterday. Hopefully we will open tonight to carry on serving our community. pic.twitter.com/c40Toc0UjD
— Eat or Heat Foodbank (@EatOrHeat) July 26, 2021
London Fire Brigade said it had received more than 1,000 calls.
Michelle Handley, from Waltham Forest, helped a neighbour who became flooded in their home.
She said: “My neighbour was flooded in the flat and the whole garden was under eight inches or more of water.
“We went to the in laws and got a pond pump. That cleared the flat but it was still seeping in the garden.”
One Little Ilford resident said they were left cleaning up raw sewage on Monday morning which flooded their garden from blocked drains.
They added: “The garden is wrecked. Thank goodness we don’t have a basement.”
Sam Bailey, who lives nearby, said: “It’s going to cost thousands to clear up the damage. We are still surveying it now. The whole downstairs is ruined basically. All our carpets and furniture gone.”
Tammy Anderson from Dagenham described the water pouring through her letterbox during the torrential rain.
“Cars were literally pulling over where the rain was so bad they couldn’t see,” she said.
“It was coming though my letter box. Luckily we are fine but it was scary.”
In south west London motorists were trapped in their cars for more than three hours in waterlogged roads and firefighters rescued a family who became trapped in the flood.
One New Malden resident said: “It was chaos. My car was ruined. I don’t know how I’m going to get to work.”
Insurers said it was “too early” to tell what the cost of repairing the damage would be to residents, businesses and councils.
Malcolmâ Tarling, from the âAssociation of British Insurers, added: “Like Londoners, insurers expect flooding to occur at any time.
“Their first priority will be helping customers affected recover and get back to normal as quickly as possible.”
A London Fire Brigade spokesman warned flooding victims to “take extra care” while cleaning up flood waters.
“As many begin to clear up in the aftermath, the Brigade is warning to take extra care due to an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from generators used to dry out buildings,” they said.
“If a generator is being used to clear flood water, never run a petrol or diesel-powered generator indoors, and be aware of the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
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