An investigation has been launched into claims water pumps on the Isle of Wight were not turned on — which one councillor says could have saved homes and businesses from flooding.
Last Wednesday, East Cowes was hit with tidal flooding and heavy rain early in the morning, which left standing water around the town centre.
While the water levels were still rising, local councillor Karl Love was trying to get emergency services to come and switch on the storm pumps around the Well Road roundabout as traffic continued to drive through the water with each wave entering people’s homes.
Love: The pumps were definitely not working
Councillor Love said,
“I am more than a bit dismayed the town’s flood pumps were not switched on and working. I believe this has caused much of the significant flooding into households and businesses.
“I was called out very early on Wednesday by concerned residents and there was little I could do to help apart from try to get all the emergency services involved.
“The pumps were definitely not working as we have seen them in operation in other similar situations.”
Councillor Love said he also put his hands down the drains to ensure the pumps were not blocked by leaves, and in the days following the flooding, saw the pumps had been turned on.
SW: Investigation will be carried out
A Southern Water spokesperson has confirmed they are aware of the concerns and an investigation will be carried out to understand the full circumstances. Until that is completed, there will be no further comment.
Councillor Love went on to say,
“These are changing times where climate change is beginning to kick in and we are likely to see more flooding, but this one caught us out completely.
“This experience tells us that we are completely unprepared as a council and community to cope with the severe impacts of extreme weather and global warming. We must and can do better.”
The Southern Water spokesperson said teams are now working round the clock to prepare for Storm Ciaran to minimise disruption to its network on the Island and the wider region.
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
