Last updated at 13:20, Thursday, 06 September 2012

FLASH-FLOODING in Seascale and Gosforth last week was the worst David Moore has seen in all his time as a firefighter.

David, watch manager at Seascale Fire Station, said: “In my 40 years of working as a firefighter here I’ve never seen anything like this. The water levels in Seascale and Gosforth was up to car level.”

He praised the community spirit in both villages as neighbours helped to clear flood debris and make food for residents whose homes were flooded.

Fire crews spent hours pumping out flood water from cellars and ground floors of homes.

In Gosforth, the worst-hit areas were Beck Place, Meadowfield Grove and Meadow Close.

LYNN and BILL PATTISON, of Beck Place, said the first they knew about the torrential rain was when their electricity went out in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Pattison went outside to try and clear the beck, but because of the speed the area flooded, he was unable to get back through the front door and was forced to climb up a ladder into an upstairs hallway window.

“It was just like a flash flood,” said Mrs Pattison.Mr Pattison said that he’s lived in the village for the past 50 years and has never seen any flooding like this before.

JOHN MACLAURIN, of Meadowfield Grove, said: “The beck was right up and the water was running into my back garden. Firefighters had to kick the fence down on one of the houses to let the water run through the garden. I have never seen water like that in my life. It went through everyone’s garages.” It was just like a river running through.

CHRIS HIMSWORTH, of Meadow Close, said although his home was not flooded, around six of the 16 properties on the Close were.

Mr Himsworth: “The fire service came in the early hours of the morning. They checked to see where the water was coming from and said to wait for the water draining away.

“I have never known this in 25 years I have been here. It has rained before, and blocked drains have just caused a puddle, but never anything like this.”

He said neighbours have been clearing carpets and flood-damaged possessions out of their homes. “Some of the cars are completely ruined. Some of them have floated down the street and the water was up to the speedometer in one of the vans,” he added.

Flooding also occurred in the Robinson+co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers’ offices at Beck Place. Staff have temporarily moved services to Gosforth Methodist Church Hall.

ROGER TROUGHTON, managing partner of Robinson+co said: “We would like to thank the Gosforth community for all their help. Being able to offer a temporary service from the Methodist Church Hall means we can provide a service to our clients with minimal disruption to the community.”As agents for the Furness Building Society, customers can still make transactions at the temporary venue.

Fire services say around 30 properties were affected in the Seascale area, particularly on South Parade and Railway Terrace.

Firefighter, David Moore, added: “It has been horrendous. The flooding on the back streets in Seascale has not been this bad for years. The only time I have ever seen it like that was in a photo taken in 1953.

“There were extreme levels of flooding, in the early stages. All we could do was ensure people’s safety as the torrent of water was so great.

“The fire services have worked extremely hard. I can’t praise them enough.”

First published at 11:04, Thursday, 06 September 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk