Council block tenants forced into emergency housing after flash floods hit London
Flash flooding has forced 28 residents of a council block in east London out of their homes and into emergency accommodation.
Waltham Forest Council confirmed it had provided temporary housing for the residents after the block of flats in Walthamstow lost its power supply as a result of the flooding.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it had taken around 1,000 calls in the space of a few hours on Sunday 25 July, with areas of east London including Worcester Park, South Woodford, Leytonstone and Stratford all affected.
In a statement, the LFB confirmed that its crews were called out to rescue motorists as well as people trapped in basements during the weekend’s downpours.
“Firefighters attended incidents… [including] reports of ceilings collapsing and assisting people from their homes,” the statement read.
The fire service also issued a warning to residents to take extra care because of an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from generators used to dry out buildings.
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Some areas of the city saw 51mm of rainfall in three hours on Sunday – more than the monthly average for July.
Stella Creasey, Labour MP for Walthamstow, was one of the many residents whose home was flooded after to the downpour.
I share this pain- my road and my house also flooded too. I can only tell you what the agencies supposed to act are saying to me @TheOneException but can promise not going to sit back if the response doesn't improve! https://t.co/AJkUTALnaw
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) July 25, 2021
Responding to concerns from constituents that drain blockages had been a persistent problem in the area, Ms Creasey said via Twitter that she would ask for the matter to be investigated.
These are all fair questions and not just for Brooke Road- if your road has flooded in the last five years and you've had correspondence with Thames Water/Council etc on it please do share with my team and we will ask for investigation @popster73 ? https://t.co/sFRTYFIysA
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) July 25, 2021
Waltham Forest Council said in a statement: “[We] continue to support residents affected, including staff out knocking on doors in the worst-affected areas.
“Last night we housed 28 residents in emergency accommodation after a block in Walthamstow lost power supply due to flooding. We have been in touch with Thames Water and they have confirmed to us that there are no water contamination issues in the borough.”
A statement from Redbridge Council said that contingency plans were made to house tenants at a local hall in Woodford Green, but that the emergency provisions were not needed. “We closed it at 00:35, but measures remain in place to reopen swiftly if necessary,” the council confirmed.
Barking and Dagenham Council told Inside Housing: “Fortunately no residents needed to be placed in emergency accommodation, but our crews are still out today trying to clear away excess water as a result of the flooding.”
A spokesperson for Newham Council confirmed that while residents had been impacted by the floods, no rehoming or temporary relocation had been implemented in the borough.
Earlier this month, around 60 Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) tenants were provided with emergency housing after nearly three inches of rain fell within 90 minutes. A spokesperson for NHG said the flooding had caused “serious damage” to many homes.
Some NHG residents reported via Twitter that they were unable to access the housing association’s emergency repairs number as their homes filled with water.
Been told that @NHGhousing tenants have not been able to contact the emergency number tonight after catastrophic flooding in W9. We need an urgent response please @talktoNHG @NHGhousing
— Karen Buck (@KarenPBuckMP) July 12, 2021
An LFB spokesperson said: “It’s really important to know what to do if you experience flooding and stay alert to flood warnings in your area. If flooding is expected, prepare a flood kit or grab bag, use sandbags to limit water flow and if possible, move belongings to a higher level. Make sure you also look out for your neighbours, especially if they are vulnerable.
“If your property does flood, avoid walking through flood waters. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock over an adult.”
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