Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Second storm batters district - but outlook finally less bleak
Weather looks set to improve after havoc wreaked by Storm Dennis
The district was battered by fierce gales and heavy rain at the weekend - as it was hit by the second storm in a fortnight. But after Storm Ciara and then Storm Dennis wreaked havoc across consecutive weekends, it looks like Canterbury might finally be in for some respite as the Met Office has lifted its flood warnings for the area and is predicting drier weather for Saturday.
While the scenes in the district last weekend were far less dramatic than those pictured in Wales and Yorkshire, Dennis left the ground saturated, and low-lying areas such as Hambrook Marshes flooded. While many were holed up at home during the grim weather, authorities and emergency services worked behind the scenes to ensure it caused minimal disruption.
The Environment Agency placed temporary flood defences in the Westgate Gardens, in a bid to protect 40 properties from flooding as the River Stour swelled. The barriers were kept in place until Tuesday, when the water level was judged to be safe.
City council spokesman Leo Whitlock said: “During Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, our team of engineers monitored the situation very closely and were in close contact with Kent County Council and the Environment Agency among others. “They braved the appalling weather to manage river flows through Canterbury as well as keeping a careful watch on river levels downstream.
“The Environment Agency deployed its demountable flood barriers in the Westgate Gardens and the peak of the flow passed through on Monday. “Our engineers were also out keeping a wary eye on the Swalecliffe Brook and West Brook which were running high and monitoring the Nailbourne.” On Sunday, fire crews rushed to Beecroft Close in Canterbury, where a roof was overhanging a public footpath. Firefighters in one engine used a ladder and small tools to remove the overhanging material and make the scene safe. On Monday, coastal parts of the district saw the highest tide since December 2013, due to a tidal surge caused by Storm Ciara.
In Herne Bay, a mother and daughter were left homeless after heavy winds tore through their flat, scattering debris from the four-storey building. Kerry Young was walking towards the building at about 5.15pm, when she saw the brickwork above her third-floor flat fall apart.
“All the dust and debris was coming up Canterbury Road – it was unbelievable,” the 49-yearold said. “It was lucky nobody was in the flat and that nobody was hurt.”
Police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene at about 5.30pm, along with three fire engines.
Ms Young and her 20-yearold daughter, Rhianne, have since been placed in temporary accommodation by Canterbury City Council. However, the care home cook has not been able to salvage her belongings as work continues to make the building safe. “It’s devastating,” Ms Young added. “I didn’t have any clothes; they were in the flat. “I wouldn’t feel safe going back there. I can’t walk past a tall building now because I’m terrified.”
Bricks tumbled onto vehicles parked outside the block of flats, crushing a silver car and smashing Rhianne’s Ford Ka. Residents were evacuated from the building, with a number of them placed in temporary housing. Canterbury Road has been sealed off since Saturday, and Kent County Council expects it to remain closed until March 6. As of yesterday (Wednesday), 165 flood alerts were in place across the country, as well as 130 flood warnings, and six severe flood warnings which caution a “danger to life”.
But the outlook looks less bleak for the Canterbury district.
Although alerts are in place for the River Medway in Maidstone and Tonbridge, and for the Upper River Stour at Ashford, there are no warnings in place for the district.
The Met Office predicts some heavy rain for today but - at last - a dry Saturday, with just 50% chance of rain on Sunday.