Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Calls for storm tanks after homes hit by flash-flooding
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Sudden downpours caused flashflooding in a city centre cul-de-sac as drains backed up and sent rising waters into nearby homes.
Neighbours have recounted their horror at seeing the murky swell pour over their doorsteps and destroy carpets and belongings as it engulfed their ground floors.
They are now appealing to the water authority to install much-needed storm tanks after similar floods hit their street a year ago.
On Tuesday, several inches of rain fell on Canterbury in less than an hour causing flash-flooding at various city centre spots as well as outlying areas such as Broad Oak.
Among the worst hit was The Hoystings Close off Old Dover Road, where waters quickly rose, leaving vehicles partially submerged in the car park.
Mum-of-two Estelle Huxtable told the Gazette: “It started raining and I noticed it was coming down quite hard.
“I could see the water up to car exhaust pipes when I looked out of the window.
“It all happened so fast. I opened the front door and it just started rushing in. It was coming higher in the hall and in the lounge.”
Ms Huxtable says that she has no contents insurance and that her carpets and a computer are almost certainly ruined.
Martin and Rachael Austin, who live next door, said the waters had soaked their downstairs living area.
Mr Austin, a taxi driver and DJ, said his vinyl record collection had been soaked. Luckily the couple have insurance.
Residents have praised Southern Water engineers who arrived on scene on Tuesday evening to pump out the drains and stayed for most of the night in case the rains started again.
But those affected are adamant the drainage system cannot cope.
Ms Huxtable’s son Lewis, 23, recalled similar flooding in August last year, when waters were so deep he waded knee-deep with neighbours to try and bail the swell away from their homes.
“It needs some sort of storm tank and hopefully they’re looking at doing something soon,” he said. “Otherwise every time we get really heavy rain we’re going to have this problem.”
Calie Rydings, spokesman for Southern Water, said an investigation into the flooding at The Hoyst- ings Close was ongoing and could take some time.
“We are aware of some flooding in The Hoystings Close area of Canterbury following heavy rainfall,” she said.
“Our specialist team are currently looking into the cause of this incident.
“We will continue to work alongside affected residents to provide help and support and would like to thank them for their patience while we investigate the issue further.”