News Floods


downsmail.co.uk Floods hit village homes


ITwas a Christmas to remember – but for all the wrong reasons in many parts of the borough. As Maidstone’s Lockmeadow area


vanished beneath the rising Medway, residents in Yalding were airlifted to safety as a torrent ofwater threatened to engulf their homes. Others were rescued by boat as the


roads became rivers in the crisis-hit village, only recently recovered from the devastating floods of 2000. Property had once again begun to


sell in the area dubbed Lower Yald- ing by estate agents, keen to differen- tiate those parts of the village that were above the waterline in Upper Yalding. Now flooded once again, home- owners face months of misery in tem- porary accommodation, as builders move in to rip out contaminated floors and plasterwork. Some householderswere moved to


the Holiday Inn at Wrotham on Christmas Eve as their homes were


DESPITE visits from Prime Minister DavidCameron,MPHelen Grant and leader of KCC Paul Carter, residents remained unimpressed. Erica Olivares (49) lambasted the


PMas he arrived in the village, claim- ing Maidstone Council had “aban- doned” residents to go on holiday, prompting Mr Cameron to pledge he would contact the council. Chief ex- ecutive Alison Broom intervened, of- fering her mobile phone number to the parish council chairman.


Parks looted


LOOTERS moved in to Yalding, as homeowners were evacuated from their flooded homes. Identifying empty park homes at


Little Venice and in the village, they not only attempted to raid property, but also vehicles that had been aban- doned in the floodwater. KCC leafleted hundreds of proper-


ties as rogue traders descended, try- ing to cash in on the misery of residents needing help.


without electricity or telephones. Parish council chairman Geraldine


Brownwas heroine of the day as, un- deterred by the fact water was lap- ping at the doors of her own home, she ran through the village, along with parish clerk Angela Gent, ham- mering on doors to warn those most at risk.


Yalding from the church tower and Geraldine Brown Picture: Keith Henson


plunged into darkness andwater lev- els rose. Otherswere evacuated to the Premier Inn in Rocky Hill, Maidstone, leaving their homes and possessions to face the wrath of thewaves. At least three house sales in Yalding and Laddingfordwere in jeopardy as


Downs Mailwent to press, with buy- ers unsure whether or not to proceed. Residents in the centre of Yalding


had just 30 minutes notice to move their cars and get out of their proper- ties on the afternoon of December 24, having already spent several hours


Christine O’Neill, whose historic cottage ended up three feet deep in water, said: “Had it not been for Geraldine, matters could have been so muchworse.” Cllr Brown said the village’s emer-


gency plan had “worked brilliantly” but residents had relied on Sea Scouts with canoes to rescue them as the Kent Fire and Rescue Servicewas un- able to reach the village in time. But community spirit rose even


faster than the floodwater to help those caught up in the chaos.


Help ‘lacking’ Roads and bridges closed Water rescue


ALTHOUGH the main road through Hunton was flooded in parts, adding to the evacuation problems in Yald- ing, most properties survived rela- tively unscathed. Teston and East Farleigh bridges


were also impassable for several days. In Marden, many homes were with- out power for three days – from the


Search for cat MAVIS Matthews is trying to trace her blue-grey, short-haired cat,which disappeared during the floods. Seven-year-old Scamp, who is mi-


crochipped, was wearing a red collar. His brother, Blue, is constantly out searching for him. Mrs Matthews, who lives at


Riverview Park, also lost four ducks, which she fears were savaged by foxes or mink. She thinks Scampmay have befriended another family. Any- one who can help can call 07801 532057.


Furniture out on the streets


ROB Woolley (pictured) and his wife Heather abandoned plans to cook Christmas lunch – and their home in Benover Road – when the lights went out on Christmas Eve, spending the festivities with fam- ily.


Little did they realise the devas-


tation the flood would cause in their absence. Aswell as wrecking the contents


on the ground floor of their listed cottage and garage, the floods en- gulfed Rob’s vintage MG – with water rising more than a foot above his treasured car.


6 Maidstone South January 2014


Monday before Christmas to Boxing Day – and villagers want to see a re- vised flood map drawn up following the incident. Five people were rescued from


three vehicles stuck in floodwater in Sheephurst Lane, Marden, and two menwere rescued from a car trapped inwater in Green Lane.


Power teams


UK POWER Networks worked through the night to restore power to the village – and bought fish and chips for households affected – while KCC provided electricians. Call Flow Solutions, which sup-


plies high speed broadband to much of the village, also worked tirelessly to restore service. Maidstone Council provided emer-


gency refuse vehicles to collect flood- damaged carpets and furniture once the water subsided and delivered sandbags when the village was once again on flood alert in the New Year.


YALDING resident Symon Wilson and his Sea Scout son Joseph (17) took to the water in canoes, initially to get electricityworkers on site. Then, with fellow canoeists John Lengthorne, Dave Jewson and Nick Davies, they rescued homeowners. Daughter Laura (13) helped fami-


lies find temporary homes for their pets – from guinea pigs to ponies. The church was being used as a contact centre for those evacuated, with volunteers serving hot drinks and snacks.


Careless drivers


RESIDENTS were unhappy with the world’s media and ‘rubberneckers’ who drove at speed through the floodwater, causing waves which lashed into their homes. In Laddingford, as Jill Smith strug-


gled to salvage treasured posses- sions from her Meadow View cottage, drivers ploughed through regardless.


Call for action on future risk


Continued from page one Agency, in conjunction with DEfra, following the 2000 flood, which led to the MiddleMedway strat- egy.However, no progress has been made. “It all boils down to funding,” said a source, “butwe believe the Prime Minister did take the mat- ter on board this time.” As well as funding for improved infrastructure, the parish council – and villagers – want to ensure that vulnerable properties will still get insurance cover, under theWater Bill currently going through Parliament.


Yalding PostOffice


Picture: Keith Henson


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