Angry homeowners hit by floods and sewage

A BLOCKED drainage pipe has been revealed as the cause of flash flooding that shut down Ottery St Mary yesterday.

Roads in the East Devon town became flooded when 14mm of rain fell in the space of just a few hours, with the water in some parts of Ottery St Mary reaching waistheight.

Police warned motorists to avoid the area as they closed off routes due to the condition of the road, while the Environment Agency urged drivers not to drive through flood water.

Andrea Millard, who lives in Mill Street, said she was angry at the flooding as it has been happening since they moved into the property in 1997.

She said: “The flooding started at about 12.45pm and started to get into the house really quickly. It came through the front and back to just a couple of inches below the floor boards.

“It is so depressing. It’s been happening since we moved in in 1997. It shouldn’t be happening now. It’s 2019 but feels like 1997.

“It was really bad in 1997, then again in 2008, now this and so many times in between. I’m angry, my son is fed up and my daughter is in tears. This is not acceptable.”

She added: “On top of everything else it is a health hazard. There was sewage coming up though the drain outside and into our house.

“All the authorities blame each other. Yes it was heavy rain but not that heavy.

“If they all got together they could work this out.”

Stuart and Trish Grocutt could only watch as flood water rose in a matter of minutes and broke in through the front door.

“The rain only lasted about 10 or 15 minutes,” said Stuart. “In that short space of time the water was more than a foot high in the street and coming in the front.

Firefighters said they would be at the properties for several hours last night, to pump out the floodwater.