David + Beryl Sowden, Keystone, Crosby On Eden
Posted 15/01/2009
We live in rural Cumbria, near Carlisle in Crosby on Eden, a village of about 100 houses, and were affected in the 2005 floods. The village school, pub and restaurant along with a third of houses were flooded.
The main concentration of assistance at that time was in Carlisle city, the rural areas left to deal with things on their own. We all managed to sit out the worst of the flooding with help from those not flooded.
When we bought the house in 2001 we were not aware of a flood plain although we did know that the village pub, particulary low lying, had been flooded in the 1960's. Since then the local authorities had never upgraded drainage + sewerage system.
On a re-furbishment level we were back in our house after 11 months. On a mental level, when it rains for more that 24 hours we have sleepless nights, and are on constant vigilance in order to prepare for the possibility. We are hesitant in spending nights away from home.
The village formed an 'emergency committee' and with the help of the Parish Council, have equipped a box with essentials, kept in the village hall. Our advice to others at risk of flooding would be to make sure you have adequate levels of insurance along with flood protection. If you are flooded, do not trust anyone. Make a note of all phone calls, who,when,time and date and send any letters to insurance companies, loss adjusters etc. recorded delivery, as they will deny receiving them. Don't be pressurised into accepting immediate restitution, take time.
The main concentration of assistance at that time was in Carlisle city, the rural areas left to deal with things on their own. We all managed to sit out the worst of the flooding with help from those not flooded.
When we bought the house in 2001 we were not aware of a flood plain although we did know that the village pub, particulary low lying, had been flooded in the 1960's. Since then the local authorities had never upgraded drainage + sewerage system.
On a re-furbishment level we were back in our house after 11 months. On a mental level, when it rains for more that 24 hours we have sleepless nights, and are on constant vigilance in order to prepare for the possibility. We are hesitant in spending nights away from home.
The village formed an 'emergency committee' and with the help of the Parish Council, have equipped a box with essentials, kept in the village hall. Our advice to others at risk of flooding would be to make sure you have adequate levels of insurance along with flood protection. If you are flooded, do not trust anyone. Make a note of all phone calls, who,when,time and date and send any letters to insurance companies, loss adjusters etc. recorded delivery, as they will deny receiving them. Don't be pressurised into accepting immediate restitution, take time.
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