A Callands resident is forced to live upstairs after severe flooding damages her home
Callands: In October, Cromwell Avenue faced serious flooding, and Jackie Gilmore’s home on Colwyn Close was almost affected.
Luckily, the water didn’t reach her place, but she rushed out to buy bricks. She wanted to lift her furniture just in case it happened again.
You see, back in January 2021, she lost everything during Storm Christoph. So, when she heard about the flooding on New Year’s Day, she was ready.
Jackie quickly put her furniture on bricks to save it. But despite her efforts, the downstairs of her home is now completely ruined.
She had to leave her house on Wednesday and stay with her son for a night. But since her son rents, she’s back living upstairs in her damaged home with her dog.
Jackie shared with the Warrington Guardian that after the 2021 floods, residents were promised flood defenses and plans. But nothing has changed, and her home flooded again.
“We are just constantly fobbed off all of the time,” she said, feeling frustrated.
“I’m not looking for new furniture or flooring; I just want to be back in my home.”
Living upstairs for the next few months is going to be tough, she admits. Jackie feels trapped because the ongoing floods have made her house hard to sell.
“It’s devalued the house. I can’t even sell and leave because nobody wants to buy it,” she explained.
“If I could sell this house, I’d be out of here in a heartbeat. This is going to keep happening.”
She described how bad it was on Wednesday, and it’s not just her situation. “I’m lucky I can live upstairs with power and gas, but there’s a couple across the street with three little kids.”
“I can’t even put into words how this affects my mental health. If I start crying, I won’t be able to stop.”
Jackie mentioned that she and other residents asked the council for sandbags before the flooding hit. But they were told they could only get them once the water was inside.
“I can’t quite figure out how that works. It’s like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted,” she said.
On New Year’s Day, residents reached out to the Environment Agency about the flooding, but they claimed they weren’t aware, even with warnings in place.
They also called the Highways Agency to close Cromwell Avenue since cars were driving through and pushing water toward homes. But they were told that agency doesn’t cover that road.
“Nobody wants to help,” Jackie added, feeling let down.
The Warrington Guardian asked the council why sandbags weren’t available. Chief executive Steven Broomhead said they were distributed as much as possible before the flooding, but demand was high.
He added that they prioritized those at risk to life or needing special support and expressed regret for the tough times residents are facing.
