Everyone remembers those terrible floods of 2007. Hull was hit severely by high water levels and the devastation was at its most terrible. In his article “Hundreds of Hull residents still suffering from last year’s floods” Paul Mitchell discusses the dreadful aftermath.
During 2007, Britain experienced rainfall levels it had never seen before. Thirteen people lost their lives and over fifty five thousand homes and businesses were severely flooded. Last summer was thought of as the biggest emergency in peacetime for the last 60 years. Five hundred thousand people lost their electricity supply and water while 8 motorways and many railway lines had to be closed. Britain had come to a standstill particularly up in Hull where 95% of properties are a flood risk. The total value of home insurance claims submitted was over £3 billion. In Hull over seven thousand homes were ravaged by floodwater causing the drains and the sewers to overflow. Most of these people experienced problems with the processing of their insurance claims.
Although the floods happened a year ago, it may come as a surprise to find that many of the people affected by the devastation are still living out of accommodation that is temporary. Such accommodation is a cramped caravan parked up on the drive.
The article met with local residents who voiced some opinions of their experiences. A local couple, Liam and Jo who have lived in their home for five years, described how the flood water poured into the house through the floorboards. The water level reached three to four feet above floor level. For six months afterwards they were living with their in-laws before their downstairs was put right. As a consequence to claiming for all the flooding damage, the couple are now paying higher insurance premiums. How can this be right?
Since the flooding, the couple reported a downturn in community communication. There was a single meeting arranged for after the floods and surprisingly, no action carried out. The community was consequently in uproar over this travesty.
A local builder called Phil, a resident of the area for over ten years has noticed a decline in the social side of the community. There is an overwhelming feeling of displacement about the area as a number of people, he claimed, have moved away. Phil stuck around and moved to the upstairs floor of his house while carrying out his repairs which he paid for himself. He helped to pump the water out of his neighbours gardens for four days barely resting during that time. What does Phil say about the local council? He blames them for the neglect of the infrastructure of the drains and reports they haven’t been touched for 10 years. It’s about time they did something.
A number of people are still living out of their temporary homes, many of which are caravans parked outside their houses. There are reports that people are still having problems with insurance claims twelve months after the floods. While the floors were certified dry (a month following the flooding) they were beginning to get wet again. All became glaringly obvious, this was not a problem that was going to go away!
Following an official review of last year’s floods, Sir Michael Pitt issued an apology but attempted to shift the majority of the responsibility onto the householder and not the local councils, water authorities and insurance companies. Shocking all who listened to his comments, he stressed that the victims of the floods should not expect the government to help them out.
An independent inquiry found that Yorkshire Water was greatly to blame for the extent of the damages caused by the floods. Additionally, it found evidence that requests for maintenance were ignored and that a new sewer system was grossly ineffective.
Following the Pitt review, the Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn advised of an action plan set to take place in the Autumn. That £5 million would be set aside for risk assessments as well as a budget of a quarter of a million pounds to be spent to a flood drill. Many feel it will take considerably more funds to turn back the clocks on the current weakened and ineffective flood defence effort.