Pensioner’s joy at being home after flood hell
A 72-year-old woman
who was forced from her house a year ago due to a devastating flood is delighted to finally be back home.
Jane Hendrie has moved back into her property at Pyothall Court in Broxburn a year after torrential rain lead to flooding that saw some people having to be rescued by boat.
Dramatic pictures from the day showed submerged cars on the street and homes ruined by water.
Jane, a retired supermarket worker, moved to a temporary home in Uphall with partner Billy while her home was repaired and said she is delighted to finally get back to normal.
She also praised the response of West Lothian Housing Partnership (WLHP) staff.
Part of Wheatley Group, they joined the emergency services and council staff on site on the day, doing everything possible to help distressed residents, making sure that they were safe and had somewhere to stay. In the following days, WLHP staff provided emergency payments to customers where needed, found new homes for people affected and worked closely with West Lothian Council partners to find temporary homes for others.
Jane said:“I’m so glad to be back home.
“On the day of the flood, we had water up to our knees.
“Our neighbour next door had water up at the top of the radiator.
“But WLHP staff were great. I’m very happy with how they responded.
“They were here every day after the flood, always asking us all what they could do to help.
“They helped empty our house and took damaged goods away.
“We came back to Broxburn earlier this month, and the house is like a brand new home – new windows and back and front doors, new flooring, and new kitchen units too. WLHP were very helpful.”
Around a dozen homes were affected by the flood, with eight needing extensive repair work. The homes needed several months to thoroughly dry out before specialist engineers made sure they were structurally sound and new walls, floors, bathrooms and kitchens were installed as required.
All the work was carried out while following Scottish Government Covid-19 restrictions.
Lynsey Fotheringham, WLHP’s head of housing, said:“We did everything we could to make sure that customers were safe and well after this major incident.
“It was a real team effort from WLHP staff and dozens of colleagues from across Wheatley to help people affected by the flood.
“Housing staff, repairs staff, our environmental teams, pulled out all the stops to make sure that our customers had everything they needed.
“I would also like to thank our partners at
West Lothian Council for their help in arranging decant homes for some of our customers.
“I am delighted that everyone has moved back home.”