Flood victims in the North West told to buy own sandbags

Flood victims whose homes have been hit for the second time in two years were told to buy their own sandbags as a river burst its banks, it was claimed yesterday.

Almost a month’s rain fell in 24 hours on Wednesday, causing chaos across the North West.

And residents in Halton, Lancashire, who were victims of Storm Desmond in December 2015, have seen their homes ruined again.

Retired social worker Roz Frankland said villagers could ‘see the flooding coming’ on Wednesday lunchtime but were denied requests for sandbags.

Swamped: Katherine Moorhouse begins the clear-up yesterday at her home in Galgate

Ruined: A lounge flooded after a month's rain fell in 24 hours on Wednesday causing chaos across the North West

Ruined: A lounge flooded after a month’s rain fell in 24 hours on Wednesday causing chaos across the North West

‘We were told sandbags were for the emergency services only,’ said Mrs Frankland, whose home was flooded.

‘If we wanted our own, we would have to go to the builders’ merchants and pay for them ourselves.’

She said she made four calls to emergency services after being unable to get through to council emergency numbers.

Fellow villager Stephen Hadley, 64, had to defend his home with just a broom for three and a half hours. 

Caravans at a flooded holiday park in Preesal, Lancashire where fire services received 400 reports of flooding

Caravans at a flooded holiday park in Preesal, Lancashire where fire services received 400 reports of flooding

‘I stood at the door and just kept sweeping the water back as soon as it came over the doorstep,’ he said. 

‘I was absolutely knackered by the end. I woke up this morning with a bad back and my knees have gone but I’m still in my home.’

The problems were compounded by the River Conder breaking its banks in nearby Galgate, where residents also suffered.

The Red Door Cafe in Halton, which was left under 5ft of water by Storm Desmond, suffered tens of thousands of pounds of further damage in the latest deluge. 

Owner Farrah Norris, 37, said: ‘People think it is just water and it will go away but they have no idea of the damage it leaves behind.’

Lancashire County Council workers eventually arrived in Halton at around 8pm on Wednesday to hand out sandbags, although there were precious few to go round. 

Lancaster City Council said there was ‘no obligation’ on authorities to provide sandbags to the public. 

A spokesman said it would offer advice to those homes and businesses affected.

Residents evacuated from their homes might not be able to return for at least six months.

Almost 4in of rain fell over 36 hours to yesterday morning. 

Lancashire fire service received 400 reports of flooding, rescuing 70 people from homes and stranded cars, plus 20 horses from rising water at stables.

Flooding disrupted roads across the North West and North Wales, including the M6 and A55, and railways including the West Coast Main Line. 

There were 250 emergency calls in Gwynedd and Anglesey.

No more heavy rain is expected but six flood warnings remained in place last night in Cumbria, Lancashire and North Yorkshire. 

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