Heavy Rain causes Flooding

15 August 2010, 09:00 | Updated: 15 August 2010, 10:36

Parts of East Kent worst affected after heavy rain falls within hours.

 

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has received around thirty calls about flooding this weekend

In the Deal area almost twenty calls came in the space of an hour late on Friday afternoon.

Members of the public were concerned about flooded roads and drains. A couple of calls were from residents worried about a gas smell that turned out to be a smell from flooded drains. One call was from a passenger trapped in a car, but when the crew arrived they were already safety out of the vehicle.

During the afternoon and evening KFRS officers were in the area providing advice to residents. The KFRS water safety unit was also on standby should any evacuation or rescues be needed, but fortunately it was not required.

Early on Saturday morning (14.8.10) crews were called to a newsagents in Canterbury Road, Margate after the weight of rain water caused a temporary tarpaulin on the roof to collapse, flooding the floors below. Firefighters made the property safe and secured the tarpaulin on the roof.

Shortly afterwards crews attended the Westwood Cross Shopping Centre in Broadstairs. Gary Stanford, Station Manager at Faversham said: “There were two areas of flooding in the car park causing water to flood into some of the shops. We pumped out the car park so that the shops were able to open. We then went on to a cottage in Broadstairs where water from a flooded yard and garden was coming into the house. Again we pumped the water out.”

The same morning in Ramsgate three appliances responded to a number of calls to Harbour Parade and were able to assist a number of local people who needed help.

KFRS urges everyone in the event of flooding to follow basic safety tips: 

  • Following a flood in your home, make sure all electrical circuits are fully dried out and checked by an electrical engineer before switching back on.
  • Do not attempt to walk through flooded areas. Even shallow water moving fast can sweep you off your feet and there may be hidden dangers such as open drains or damaged road surfaces
  • Look after neighbours who may be vulnerable
  • Keep an eye on weather reports on local television or radio news channels. Do not travel in heavy rain storms unless absolutely necessary.
  • Motorists should not attempt to drive through flooded roads or fords. The water is often deeper than it looks and may be moving quite fast. Your vehicle may be swept away or become stranded.
  • Remember that during a storm the emergency services will be very busy. Only call for immediate assistance if there is a risk to life or serious property or environmental damage.
  • Visit the Environment Agency website for more advice, flood warnings and to sign up to their floodline