Residents in the streets surrounding Simeon Rec have spent today (Wednesday) doing what they can to recover their homes after heavy overnight rain led to flooding.
Readers will remember reading of persistent problems with flooding in the area going back years, but flood barriers installed around Simeon Rec and other measures such as replacing an old sewer seemed to work well holding back the water over the last few years.
Not today however. Today residents in The Strand, East Street, West Hill Road and more have suffered serious damage to their homes – many of whom have been unable to get house insurance due to the flooding history in the area.
Why were the barriers left open?
Councillor Michael Lilley, the ward councillor for Appley and Emfield has been out and about helping residents today.
He told News OnTheWight that operatives from the Environment Agency were sent to Simeon Rec to add close up the barrier at 5.30am this morning, but were then called to Newport for a ‘more urgent’ incident. It’s understood that contractors were advised to put two slats/boards across the gates, rather than the five required to close it completely.
News OnTheWight has been in contact with the EA with a series of questions and will update readers once we hear back from them.
Emergency advice and guidance
The Isle of Wight council say their contact centre will have out of hours call handlers available from 1800 this evening to provide emergency advice and guidance on flooding to the public.
Anyone needing more information and signposting to support can call (01983) 823111.
Barriers closed and raised
The contractor for the Environment Agency have been back at the Rec today putting the barrier up and, according to Councillor Lilley, raised higher so it should work well for the forecasted heavy rain tonight.
Councillor Lilley told News OnTheWight that questions needed answering as to why residents were failed so badly.
Sandbags
Although flooding on the streets has disappeared, many homes are still flooded this evening. Some residents told News OnTheWight that sandbags had not been available.
We asked the council about this and they replied that, “sandbags are available at Simeon Rec Ground. When they need replacing, Island Roads need to be informed (tel: 822440)”.
Article edit
8am 26th Oct 2023 – Photo from John Deacon added and info about the number of slats
