Kentish Express Ashford & District
Homes flooded as downpours hit
Firefighters had to pump water out of flooded homes in Ashford after heavy downpours.
Crews were called to Steeds Close, Kingsnorth, at 4.25am on Sunday to remove water from two houses and the outside of a third.
Frank Haynes, 90, who lives in one of the affected bungalows was shocked to discover the rainwater gushing in during the early hours.
His daughter Elaine Osbourne, said: “One of dad’s neighbours called me to say that there had been serious flooding.
“The rainwater had come in from the fields and flooded his bungalow right through about six inches deep and ruined everything on the floor.
“It was quite a shock and when I walked in the door some shoes came floating towards me.”
Along with some friends, Elaine cleared her elderly father’s property of the rainwater with buckets and mops.
She added: “It took about four hours to get it all out and it was quite a workout but the fire crews couldn’t get into the property so we did it the old fashioned way!
“My dad is quite shaken up about it but he’s doing ok. We cleared as much as we could and took up all the carpets to allow it to dry out.
“Now we’ve just got to hope the insurance provides us with a dehumidifier so we can get it back to normal for him as soon as possible.”
A spokesman from Kent Fire and Rescue Service said they sent one specialist pump to the scene.
He said: “Two properties were flooded with water inside and one was at risk of flooding.
“Crews were there until 9.20am pumping out the premises of a large quantity of rainwater.
“Flood water had run off from the fields and the drainage system couldn’t cope.”