Warwickshire flood-hit residents fear repeat a year on...

[dutchman]

Shan Dobinson is one of the residents of Wolston who is concerned not enough as been done after last year's flooding



Residents in a Warwickshire town that was hit by flooding for the first time in more than 20 years in 2024, fear they face the same deluge again this year.

On 3 January last year, the people of Wolston saw the repercussions of Storm Henk, with flooding causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Residents have now told the BBC that not enough has been done to help prevent future problems, with several people worried their houses will be flooded again.

The government said that after significant flooding affects more than 25 properties in an area funding for defences is made available to the local authority.

Robert Gyde, a victim of the 2024 deluge, said it took weeks to get his cottage back to normal, and it resulted in his insurance premium doubling, though he was relieved he could still get cover.

On the day of the flooding, water swept under his front door and through the house, leaving him having to scramble to get his possessions to safety.

"I moved what I could upstairs. We got the settee from the front room and put it on the kitchen top to try and save it," he said.

"We moved all the electrics upstairs - unfortunately I missed the BT Hub. That fried."

He used a dustpan and brush to try and get water out of the back door, as the floods encroached on his house and caused his carpets to float.

"We're all worried about it happening again. What we need to do is get defences in as opposed to being reactive, [we need to be] proactive," he told the BBC.

As the floods came as a surprise to the town, residents had little time to prepare for what was coming.

Councillor Tim Willis, chair of Wolston Parish Council, said: "We weren't expecting it and we were caught out, there hadn't been floods for 20 to 25 years and the expectation we would get flooded out wasn't on anyone's agenda."

A flood defence group has since been set up in the town by volunteers, so people can react more quickly if floods do happen again.

However, some residents think more needs to be done.

Shan Dobinson told the BBC that while agencies were more aware of flooding, a flood alert warning was not enough.

"What am I supposed to do when this brook overflows and comes into my house? I can't stop it," she said.

[dutchman]

Village flood management not working, says MP



Flood risk management in a village that was cut off by water is "clearly" not working, an MP says.

Much of Wolston, in Warwickshire, was hit by flooding on Monday with some locals stranded in their homes while the water subsided.

John Slinger, MP for Rugby, said he had seen how "devastating" the flooding had been.

It is almost exactly a year since the village was cut off by flood water for the first time in more than 20 years, when Storm Henk wreaked havoc.

The Environment Agency, which maintains most waterways in the UK, has been contacted for comment.

After visiting the village on Monday, Mr Slinger said the area showed "what a strong community it is, with people coming together to help one another in their time of need".

"Clearly the management of the flood risk in this area it's not working properly, given that this is the second flooding incident in a year," he said.

"Some of the residents I spoke to have only moved back into their homes this summer.

"I spoke to elderly people who had been flooded, whose power was out, and for whom the offer of hot soup and drinks was hugely appreciated and needed.

"I will be taking up residents' concerns with the authorities, and hope to raise some of the issues with ministers in the House of Commons."

Villager Stacey Hesketh said she believed about 18 homes were flooded in 2024, with only one or two avoiding damage this year after flood defences were installed.

"I've lived in this area all my life and this has only just started happening and it's started happening when they're not dredging the rivers," she said.

"They're not doing the work. It's simply not good enough."