Fourteen months on from horrendous flooding which affected Binstead, the impact on residents has been laid bare in a new report which suggests ways of preventing it in the future.
Residents affected had their mental health impacted, but also suffered from breathing problems, back pain and fatigue after the flooding last July, as they were forced to move possessions and sandbags to protect their homes and carry out intense cleaning afterwards.
Some residents’ lives have been further disrupted as they had to move out of their homes and find either permanent or temporary accommodation.
‘Extreme rainfall event’
On 25th July 2021, an ‘extreme rainfall event’ occurred, according to the Isle of Wight Council’s flood investigation report for the town, with a large volume of rain falling in a relatively short period of time.
It had a 1 to 2.5 per cent probability of occurring in any given year.
Several problems with drainage, including blockages and insufficient capacity, have been identified as causing surface water runoff and pooling.
20 homes and the pub affected
The flooding lasted over two hours with water depths inside properties reaching between 250mm and 600mm and up to 1m externally. It affected at least 20 homes and the Fleming Arms pub.
The combined sewer system was also a secondary source of flooding — as residents noted the presence of foul sewage in the water — with the report concluding the system could not cope.
Report’s recommendations
Recommendations from the report suggest the installation of rain gardens — a shallow area of ground filled with waterlogging plants — along Greenway and underground storage tanks along The Mall to Sandpath footpath.
Further mapping is also suggested of watercourses in the area and the introduction of a property flood resilience scheme.
Dore: Things moving in the right direction
Binstead and Fishbourne representative, Cllr Ian Dore said the report was a long time coming, but things are now moving in the right direction.
He said,
“This, for the most part, serves as our Bible on how we can improve Binstead, in terms of flood mitigation.”
Dore: We can light the touch paper and blow the doors off
Earlier this year, Cllr Dore secured funding for mitigation works, some of which, he said, have already started.
He said,
“Make no mistake, now we have the data and importantly the funding, we can light the touch paper and blow the doors off!”
Community drop-in session
Cllr Dore is setting up a community drop-in session where residents can meet various agencies.
Residents will be able to chat one-on-one with the services, share concerns and find out more about the mitigation plans, as well as input on how the work could go forward.
He is hopeful the session will take place in November and thanked everyone for their support and patience in getting the report published.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
