Families in Haydock face heartbreak as floodwaters destroy homes and Christmas gifts
Haydock: A family’s home was completely wrecked after 6ft of filthy floodwater rushed in. Danny Pownall, his partner, and their two kids were fast asleep when the heavy rains caused the Sankey Canal to overflow.
At 3am, their neighbors were banging on the door, warning them about the rising water. Danny rushed downstairs to find water pouring in from everywhere—sinks, toilets, and even the outside drains.
“We lost everything,” he said, feeling the weight of the situation. All the kids’ Christmas gifts, their TV, and even the washing machine were gone. Now, they’re left without gas or electricity.
He shared a video of the damage on Facebook, urging others to stay away from Blackbrook Road, which he said was the worst it’s been in a decade.
Photos showed their home submerged in muddy water, with furniture and food floating around. The garden was a mess too, with plants uprooted and furniture scattered everywhere.
“We’ve managed to get the water out of the house, but the garden is still a mess,” Danny explained. Thankfully, some neighbors came by to help, and a friend even gifted them a generator.
Emergency services were on the scene, but many residents were stuck in their homes without power. The area was cordoned off, making it hard for anyone to get in or out.
“This has been a problem for years,” Danny said. “We flooded just two months ago, but this time it’s much worse.” He estimated that about 12 homes were affected, and he’s worried about the cost of repairs.
His youngest son was picked up by his grandparents, and Danny said he was heartbroken. “He was scared to death this morning,” he added.
A friend of Danny’s has started a fundraiser to help the family, highlighting how devastating this situation is for them, especially the kids.
As if that wasn’t enough, a yellow weather warning for rain was issued for parts of Merseyside, with heavy downpours expected to continue. Other areas, like Ormskirk, also faced flooding, leaving residents frustrated and overwhelmed.
“It’s a nightmare,” one local said. “The rain just wouldn’t stop, and now we’re dealing with this mess.”
You can help Danny’s family by donating to their fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dfecy8-please-help-urgent-need?
