Flooding forces families out of homes for Xmas
Heavy rainfall led to the evacuation of at least 22 people, with dozens more compelled to flee in advance, just days before the festivities. Tom Pyman & Lydia Catling report
Families are facing Christmas in unfamiliar surroundings this year after being forced out of their homes by flooding. Emergency crews evacuated 22 people from the Little Venice caravan park in Yalding on Saturday morning, while dozens more fled in anticipation of the heavy rain which hit over the weekend.
Firefighters used an inflatable boat to gain access to those who were most at risk and were supported by flood wardens, council workers as well as staff at the park - working in challenging conditions in which the water rose by some six inches throughout the day.
One of those ferried out remained in temporary accommodation as of Monday, though many of the others affected took shelter with local friends and family.
Albert Lee, who owns the site, where there are 123 properties housing around 200 people, insisted the clean-up operation will begin shortly once the water subsides.
“There’s been a lot of false rumours going around about properties overturning on the park and being lost, which is simply not true,” he said. “Each home is on floating pontoons which rise and fall with the river levels and so they’re working exactly as they’re designed.
“I’ve been on the park every day, going around to make sure people’s homes are okay.
“All the staff on Little Venice have been fantastic and were commended by the council and fire brigade for how efficiently we got people out.
“The people on the site are the salt of the earth, we’ve got a really great community here where everybody looks after each other.
“Particularly with some of the disabled and more vulnerable residents, people were rallying together to try and help.
“I’m going to spare no expense in getting these people back home as soon as possible.” Paul Knibbs, 58, was stuck at Twyford Bridge Marina for more than 24 hours, and said: “We’ve been marooned, but we knew it was coming so I stocked up on whiskey and tobacco - food came later.”
Flood warden Iris Lara, 57, dubbed “Magic Iris” by emergency crews, said the main damage was limited to carpets and insisted most people should be able to return home in a matter of days.
“A couple of people have stayed on site because we have trouble with people trying to get on here robbing all the homes,” she said.
However, fellow flood warden Dave Simmons insisted promises of improved flood defences made by ex-Prime Minister David Cameron in 2013 haven’t borne fruit.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service Station Manager, Lee Abel explained how people of all ages had to be helped out of their homes.
He added: “Our thoughts are with those people who’ll not be in their homes over the next few days.
“It’s certainly a challenging experience and can be extremely distressing, however most people are now in the care of their families, friends or with Maidstone Borough Council.” Elsewhere in the west of the county, scores of roads were closed as local authority bosses reminded drivers that just 30cm of moving water can cause cars to float.
The River Medway burst its banks in Maidstone town centre, while in Tovil, residents took precautions against rising water levels by protecting their homes using sand bags.
One image even appeared to show a shed being swept along by the high, fast-flowing water. In Wateringbury, villagers reported seeing four cars being submerged by the floods,”creative a massive wave”.
People were also reportedly spotted moving ‘road closed’ signs out the way to continue on their journey regardless. Maidstone council’s Incident Liaison Officers also visited the affected areas of Laddingford, Collier Street, Staplehurst, Marden and Headcorn, while dramatic pictures also showed the impact the rain had on Tonbridge and East Farleigh.