'Silent' waters rose while family slept
A FLOODED-OUT homeowner has described how the "silent" waters poured into his Grade II-listed house, writes Carl Eve.
Sam Richmond and his wife Selina could face months in temporary accommodation – and a huge clear-up bill.
-
Tamerton Foliot resident Sam Richmond with dog Jackson, who were awoken by floods at around 4am
The couple and their eight-year-old son live beside a stream in Tamerton Foliot, one of the worst-hit areas in the city.
Sam said he hard warned both the council and the Environment Agency "countless times" that the area was at risk of flooding.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
The 33-year-old said Selina, suffering from a sore back, had chosen to sleep on the downstairs living room sofa on Tuesday evening.
But in the early hours she awoke with a start after she rolled over – and her hand plopped into cold water.
"Our dog Jackson was up to his chest in the kitchen and Selina shouted up to me," Sam said. "There was about 18inches of water in the house. It was absolutely silent coming in.
"The water didn't start dispersing until around 8.30am. All the electricity tripped so we've had no heating."
Sam said he was meant to leave on Thursday to work offshore on a survey ship, but had to cancel to sort out the damage, which includes the total loss of Selina's Audi car.
Sam said he had warned the Environment Agency and Plymouth City Council "countless times" about a culvert which sits on higher ground above his home and The Kings Arms pub, which was also badly flooded.
A small stream in the field often overflows when the culvert becomes blocked with debris, he said.
"This time it was a children's tent and other debris," Sam added.
The Environment Agency did not respond to the claims.
But a Plymouth Transport and Highways spokesperson said: "We are aware that a residential property and a public house in Tamerton Foliot have experienced flooding as a result of an Environment Agency culvert overflowing.
"This was probably caused by a build-up of leaves and debris being swept into the culvert by recent heavy rainfall.
"We have been in the area clearing and checking our own culverts, and are aware the Environment Agency has also been out to monitor the culvert that caused this flooding.
"To date, the Plymouth Watchman team has not received any reports of flooding due to their culvert from Mr Richmond."
Comments
by CarltonClub
Sunday, November 25 2012, 3:12PM
“It sounds to me flooding is the least of their high class problems.
Who does he think he is - 'warning the council'.
He wants to sort his marriage out - anybody knows a sofa is the worst possible place to sleep with a bad back.”
by lweston
Sunday, November 25 2012, 2:58PM
“Just cant understand why somebody has to buy a property that is virtually sea
level, at the bottom of a hill or in the wedge of a valley coupled with a constant flowing stream stream adjacent to the front door, Dont make sense, obviously not a boy scout otherwise he would know you dont live or pitch a tent unless 40 foot above sea level, - however be warned - it will happen again, and selling the property will be a problem - the search will now reveal its in a highr risk area that has a flooding history, suppose they realised that though,”
by iamajc
Sunday, November 25 2012, 10:53AM
“MissAnthrope LOL
What is heartbreaking, is that in Exerter there are 21 year olds being killed by a falling tree because they are living rough and sleeping in a tent in modern city. Someone losing a few material possessions whilst unfortunate is not a life changing disaster.
Althougth if you feel the need to set up a charity for them feel free, they might appreciate it if you went round with a mop and bucket to help tidy up too.”
by MissAnthrope
Sunday, November 25 2012, 8:36AM
“It's a heartbreaking story to read about not only damage to their grade II home but Audi as well. Life is so cruel sometimes. Perhaps someone needs to set up a charity so we can make donations.”
by CharlieDodd
Saturday, November 24 2012, 10:57PM
“..'Selina had chosen to sleep on the downstairs sofa, she awoke after she rolled over and her hand plopped into cold water'..
Could have been worse luv, the sofa might have floated out the door and you'd have ended up on Omaha Beach”
by iamajc
Saturday, November 24 2012, 12:56PM
“If I lived near to a stream or culvert that was liable to flood my property I would check it and remove any blockages, especially if the weather forcast was predicting an extended period of heavy rain. He was aware of the problem but expected someone else to deal with the problem. Our society seem to think that someone else should always be responsible for our own misfortunes. If he had gone and removed blockages instead of complaining to various agencies he may have saved himself an awful lot of grief. Some people build their own flood defences at their own costs when they live in areas suseptable to flooding. Hopefully he is insured but he may find that his premiums are going to rise if the insurance companies will cover him for future flooding.”