|
|
Post by Geranium on Nov 22, 2012 7:16:07 GMT
I could hear the rain beating against the window yesterday morning. Well, when it got light, I looked out of the window and had a nasty shock. The stream had burst its banks, and the water had engulfed the garden - worse, it was rising fast. I woke my husband and we started to try to stop the water from getting in the house.  It was an impossible task - the water came up so fast that it surrounded the house and poured in under the doors, as well as up through the floors. All we could do was to start moving everything off the floors, and to carry whatever we could upstairs. Obviously we'd found our wellies! We needed them.  The hall was soon awash. The dining room was next - the water came in from the hall and the garden room as well as up through the floor.  It had crept round the whole house by then - the power had gone off too. It came under the kitchen door, so the whole ground floor was under 2" of water.  The kitchen.  The garden room. OH managed to get the generator going, so we could have the heating on, and eventually had breakfast at about 11. I took a couple of photos from upstairs.   Poor Henry was totally bewildered. He couldn't sit or lie down anywhere, and just wandered around following us. My husband went up to the lane and took photos of what it was like there. Lane? what lane?  The water went over his boots - so he had to empty them out when he got back. The rain eventually stopped, and the water started to go down. We spent the day trying to get the house sorted - with a pump, mops, buckets and a Vac. I washed the floors several times, a they were covered in silt. The fitted carpets are still 'squelchy' though. A kind neighbour brought a dehumidifier down for us, and we had that going for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, the forecast is horrific - a brief respite today, but more torrential rain this evening, so we are likely to get a repeat performance tonight. We haven't brought anything downstairs because of that, but at least the kitchen dried out enough for Henry to be able to sleep there last night. We weren't the only ones to be flooded, of course. Several other homes in our hamlet were flooded too - with water running off the fields, as well as the stream bursting its banks. I don't expect I'll sleep at all tonight. |
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Nov 22, 2012 7:55:24 GMT
 What a disaster Geranium. those pictures are quite shocking. You've certainly got your work cut out for you. I hope you managed to get some rest. Thankfully your neighbours have been there to help out. Fingers crossed you don't get any more rain and everything subsides.
|
|
|
|
Post by Barbara on Nov 22, 2012 8:08:29 GMT
Oh Geranium what a mess, I'm so sorry for you, I know the mess water leaves behind.I hope the next threat of rain fall isn't as bad as forecast.
|
|
|
|
Post by JennyWrenn on Nov 22, 2012 8:11:28 GMT
Shocking photos but glad you are OK and poor Henry too
|
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Nov 22, 2012 8:12:21 GMT
What a mess Geranium  Hope the insurance company are busy organising pumps and industrial de-humiidfiers for you. Have you got anyone who can help move more of your wooden furniture upstairs? |
|
|
|
Post by Jilly on Nov 22, 2012 8:24:18 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by farmersboy on Nov 22, 2012 8:36:38 GMT
How terrible for you Geranium,hope you get plenty of help clearing up,and no more rain,we are so lucky here in flat old Essex
|
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Nov 22, 2012 9:14:55 GMT
Oh my Gd! I do hope you get to normal soon and the torrential surprise number two stays away.
Were I any nearer I would hop over to help but that is not much good to you right now.
As Jilly said do look after yourself as well as all else.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Nov 22, 2012 9:48:58 GMT
What an awful mess Geranium - my heart goes out to you...
I hope help is at hand and that today doesn't bring more rain.
RF
|
|
|
|
Post by Amber on Nov 22, 2012 10:02:17 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by MamIDdau on Nov 22, 2012 10:29:17 GMT
Iesu mawr! Glad you're safe but it's a horrible thing to happen xxx |
|
|
|
Post by Mowhay on Nov 22, 2012 11:23:35 GMT
So sorry Geranium , hope you are ok today
|
|
|
|
Post by carolann on Nov 22, 2012 12:39:11 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Geranium on Nov 22, 2012 15:31:29 GMT
The next weather front has arrived already. It's blowing a gale and pouring down out there. I'm afraid that sandbags wouldn't help, as the flood water comes up from under the house, as well as under doors - and over the barrier OH put across the porch. EdF have offered help - I have a phone number to ring if we need a pump, plus they'll send 'muscle' to shift furniture when it's all over. We can't get any larger furniture up our narrow stairs, so lifting it on blocks is the only answer, really. The main blessing is that we're safe. It's all horrible though. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/cry.gif |
|
|
|
Post by Jilly on Nov 22, 2012 15:57:29 GMT
Oh Geranium, wish I was there to give you a Jillyx |
|
|
|
Post by Barbara on Nov 22, 2012 16:17:20 GMT
I wish I was nearer so I could help Geranium.
|
|
|
|
Post by Amber on Nov 22, 2012 16:22:26 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Missredhead on Nov 22, 2012 18:28:17 GMT
So sorry to read that you are having such a terrible time Geranium, you read of these things but it never sinks in how bad things actually are until it happens to someone that you 'know'..... Hope it all calms down for you and that you get te help you need..... |
|
|
|
Post by Auricula on Nov 22, 2012 19:08:29 GMT
How awful for you Geranium hope it all gets sorted out soon |
|
|
|
Post by Geranium on Nov 23, 2012 6:36:49 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Amber on Nov 23, 2012 8:03:07 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by MamIDdau on Nov 23, 2012 14:12:26 GMT
They usually suggest replacement of everything that is flood damaged as you don't know what the water's been mixed with and a simple clean won't cut it I'm afraid The insurance company should cover the cost of replacing carpets and other fixtures and fittings. |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Nov 23, 2012 16:11:16 GMT
So sorry to see what has happened Geranium, thank goodness you are all OK  Hope nothing personal with sentimental value has been damaged, everything else can be replaced. So much disruption to your lives though x Tig |
|
|
|
Post by Geranium on Nov 24, 2012 7:06:52 GMT
Thanks, Tig. No, I moved everything possible upwards - piles of 'stuff' on top of immoveable furniture, and other things upstairs. We probably will have to replace the carpets, but there's no point in contacting the Insurance Company until the next two storm 'episodes' have passed over. We have an amber (severe)risk warning for here for later today and then a worse one on Monday. I just can't believe this is happening - it's like living in a nightmare. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/cry.gif What I keep saying is that we're safe, it could be much worse. A man was drowned in his car in a flood not that far from here. No way are we going out if the lanes are flooded! |
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Nov 24, 2012 9:18:09 GMT
No don't that would be insane as you can't see where the road is.
I do hope the next front will go soft on you and keep my fingers crossed for no more misery.
Hang in there girl.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Nov 24, 2012 10:51:33 GMT
Are you still in your house Geranium? If so, should you be, because of the damp and your health. Your insurance company should find you appropriate accommodation, somewhere you can be with Henry.
|
|
|
|
Post by carolann on Nov 24, 2012 10:53:15 GMT
Just hope the next lot of storms pass around your hamlet for a change and drop their load where no body lives, I will keep popping in to see how things are going down your way, good luck Geranium good job its no an open day in the garden  you would have to take them around in a boat. Keep your chin up girl. |
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Nov 24, 2012 11:27:30 GMT
Geranium how on earth are you managing with cooking etc.... Is the electric even on? I do hope it all clears for you soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Nov 24, 2012 11:44:19 GMT
There was a bit on the news here last night with pics of the flooding everywhere and the car of the man that died....what an absolute nightmare!!
RF
|
|
|
|
Post by Auricula on Nov 24, 2012 17:32:57 GMT
We've got it too, now. The rivers are the highest we've known it and we are keeping an eye on the house doors - the garden is already under water in places, but nowhere near as bad as poor Geranium's. Jas is right G, you shouldn't be in situ - it's a health hazard
|
|
Hope the insurance company are busy organising pumps and industrial de-humiidfiers for you. Have you got anyone who can help move more of your wooden furniture upstairs?
you would have to take them around in a boat. Keep your chin up girl.