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Morpeth fights back after floods | Morpeth fights back after floods |
(about 14 hours later) | |
By Paul Costello BBC News An appeal fund has been organised for flood victims | By Paul Costello BBC News An appeal fund has been organised for flood victims |
The streets of Morpeth are buzzing with activity as clearing up continues after the worst flooding in Northumberland for 50 years. | The streets of Morpeth are buzzing with activity as clearing up continues after the worst flooding in Northumberland for 50 years. |
Rescue and damage stories can be heard on every corner, while many shops and homes still bear the scars of the weekend's downpour. | Rescue and damage stories can be heard on every corner, while many shops and homes still bear the scars of the weekend's downpour. |
More than 1,000 properties were affected, and about 400 people were moved to safety when the River Wansbeck burst its banks on Saturday. | More than 1,000 properties were affected, and about 400 people were moved to safety when the River Wansbeck burst its banks on Saturday. |
The area experienced one month's rain in just 12 hours. | The area experienced one month's rain in just 12 hours. |
The river returned to its traditional boundaries on Sunday and the town's residents have since been dealing with the aftermath. | The river returned to its traditional boundaries on Sunday and the town's residents have since been dealing with the aftermath. |
The torrent of water was indiscriminate in the victims it chose, with "closed due to flooding" signs littering the windows of charity shops, restaurants, hairdressers and estate agents. | The torrent of water was indiscriminate in the victims it chose, with "closed due to flooding" signs littering the windows of charity shops, restaurants, hairdressers and estate agents. |
One store owner, unaffected by the flooding, is reporting a boom in sales of mops and brushes. | One store owner, unaffected by the flooding, is reporting a boom in sales of mops and brushes. |
Council officials in fluorescent jackets buzz between the businesses, quickly followed by clip-board-carrying insurance assessors. | Council officials in fluorescent jackets buzz between the businesses, quickly followed by clip-board-carrying insurance assessors. |
Carolyn Fisher, 49, owner of Road Runner Sports, is facing up to the possibility of losing three months trade in tough economic times. | Carolyn Fisher, 49, owner of Road Runner Sports, is facing up to the possibility of losing three months trade in tough economic times. |
Shops near the Chantry area were worst affected | Shops near the Chantry area were worst affected |
She said: "We opened the shop door to a scene of devastation when we returned for the clear-up. | She said: "We opened the shop door to a scene of devastation when we returned for the clear-up. |
"All the stock and metal racks were pushed up to the front door and the laminate flooring had cracked and buckled. | "All the stock and metal racks were pushed up to the front door and the laminate flooring had cracked and buckled. |
"The more we cleared the more we realised the extent of the damage. | "The more we cleared the more we realised the extent of the damage. |
"The floor was covered in brown sludge and it still really stinks, there must have been sewage in the water." | "The floor was covered in brown sludge and it still really stinks, there must have been sewage in the water." |
Alan Smith, 50, owner of Chantry Picture Framing, had just returned from a Greek holiday ruined by illness when the flood hit his riverside business. | Alan Smith, 50, owner of Chantry Picture Framing, had just returned from a Greek holiday ruined by illness when the flood hit his riverside business. |
"The water was gushing over the chantry wall and it poured into the shop and reached about two-feet high. | "The water was gushing over the chantry wall and it poured into the shop and reached about two-feet high. |
"I've got myself a skip and I've cleared all the damaged stock out. Hopefully, I will be up and running by the end of next week. | "I've got myself a skip and I've cleared all the damaged stock out. Hopefully, I will be up and running by the end of next week. |
"I think the shock of all this is still to set in for traders. Like everyone I'm just keen to get back to business." | "I think the shock of all this is still to set in for traders. Like everyone I'm just keen to get back to business." |
Gardens and skips on the residential streets near the River Wansbeck are stacked with mattresses, electrical goods and other household items ruined by water. | Gardens and skips on the residential streets near the River Wansbeck are stacked with mattresses, electrical goods and other household items ruined by water. |
Many residents are facing months away from their homes | Many residents are facing months away from their homes |
Evelyn Chapman, 82, Challoner's Gardens, escaped the floods on a raft after being carried out of her home by firefighters. | Evelyn Chapman, 82, Challoner's Gardens, escaped the floods on a raft after being carried out of her home by firefighters. |
Her bungalow has now been stripped of its waterlogged carpets, furniture and white goods. | Her bungalow has now been stripped of its waterlogged carpets, furniture and white goods. |
"We managed to save my television, DVD and some personal things but it feels like I have lost everything", she said. | "We managed to save my television, DVD and some personal things but it feels like I have lost everything", she said. |
"I don't have insurance, so it looks like I will just have to try and save some money up to buy more things. | "I don't have insurance, so it looks like I will just have to try and save some money up to buy more things. |
"My daughter is helping me and it looks like I will be staying at her home for the next few months. | "My daughter is helping me and it looks like I will be staying at her home for the next few months. |
"I remember the floods in the 1960s but it was not as bad as this time round." | "I remember the floods in the 1960s but it was not as bad as this time round." |
As rain begins to fall again on Tuesday thoughts naturally turn to the prospect of further flooding. | As rain begins to fall again on Tuesday thoughts naturally turn to the prospect of further flooding. |
However, Mrs Chapman's 49-year-old daughter Eileen responds to the idea of another flood in good humour. | However, Mrs Chapman's 49-year-old daughter Eileen responds to the idea of another flood in good humour. |
The St George's Church organ was damaged in the flood | The St George's Church organ was damaged in the flood |
"Why worry, she has nothing more to lose," she quips. | "Why worry, she has nothing more to lose," she quips. |
St George's United Reformed Church on Bridge Street failed to escape what in insurance terms is described as an act of god. | St George's United Reformed Church on Bridge Street failed to escape what in insurance terms is described as an act of god. |
Congregation members will have to strip out its carpets and the billows of its impressive wind organ have been damaged by the water. | Congregation members will have to strip out its carpets and the billows of its impressive wind organ have been damaged by the water. |
However, the Reverend Ron Forster is remaining positive and believes good has come out of a testing time. | However, the Reverend Ron Forster is remaining positive and believes good has come out of a testing time. |
He said: "I think Morpeth is going to be remembered for something good in the national conscience. | He said: "I think Morpeth is going to be remembered for something good in the national conscience. |
"We may fight over car parking charges or whether we want a supermarket in the middle of the town, but we are like a family and we pull together in this sort of situation." | "We may fight over car parking charges or whether we want a supermarket in the middle of the town, but we are like a family and we pull together in this sort of situation." |
Church elder Robin Cooper has helped organise a flood relief fund, as part of his role as secretary of the Morpeth Lions Club. | Church elder Robin Cooper has helped organise a flood relief fund, as part of his role as secretary of the Morpeth Lions Club. |
Braced under a large umbrella Greta Gradon, 73, stands on a main shopping street collecting for the fund. | Braced under a large umbrella Greta Gradon, 73, stands on a main shopping street collecting for the fund. |
She said: "People have been touched by the horrendous effects of this flood and they are giving extremely generous amounts. | She said: "People have been touched by the horrendous effects of this flood and they are giving extremely generous amounts. |
"I know one young mother whose house was filled with water and she even put some money in the collection box - it is a fantastic thing." | "I know one young mother whose house was filled with water and she even put some money in the collection box - it is a fantastic thing." |
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