SCORES of homeowners are counting the cost as they clear up after ever more frequent floods with calls for permanent defences in Diglis.
Ian Harris, 61, of Diglis Avenue in Worcester, has been walking around his terraced home in wellies as he clears up the mess left by the floods, hosing out the silt and talking to insurers about his family's claim.
The Environment Agency said 180 properties have flooded in Worcester alone during the floods over Christmas and New Year after heavy rain following Storm Gerrit and Storm Henk.
However, residents say the flooding is getting more frequent - once every year instead of once every seven as they do their best to adapt to the changing environment.
Despite river levels dropping in Worcester, flood warnings remained in force on Monday across long stretches of the swollen River Severn, including at Pitchcroft, Diglis, Kempsey, Callow End, Upton and Tewkesbury.
By the River Severn, the terraced homes of Diglis Avenue are prized for their spectacular river views - but that comes at a cost when the waters start to rise.
Water got inside Mr Harris's home and on Monday he was hosing out the front of the property, feet from the river.
RECOMMENDED READING: Worcester floods 2024: 'careless' bus driver fined
RECOMMENDED READING: Worcester floods 2024 second hero named after rescue
"The flooding is getting worse and we're talking to the Environment Agency about getting flood defences. They have them in Bewdley and Upton. We don't have any here.
"But dealing with the authorities is a slow process - whether we will get anything done I don't know."
"The river leaves a silt and, if you don't get it off, it becomes like cement. As soon as the flood waters recede you have to hose it down," he said.
The skirting boards are already coming away from the wall after the latest breach.
"It came up overnight, quicker than I thought. The pumps were active but they weren't going fast enough. We walk around the house in wellies. Before I got the pumps working the water was at skirting board level," he said.
He added: "The water was up to the glass of the lounge window. It's a bit like a fish tank. An otter came up for a nosey and swans start looking inside your windows."
Despite the inconvenience, Mr Harris said he likes living by the River Severn. "It's fantastic. If the floods would go down a bit it would be perfect. It's like living by a lake," he said.
However, with residents living so close to the river, many have already adapted to the situation in their own way.
For example, Mr Harris has installed flood-proof doors and windows, raised the electrics and there is concrete beneath the floor to stop water coming in from underneath.
Flood Re, a joint scheme between the Government and insurers, meets the cost of claims. Mr Harris has not always claimed but said he will this year because of the damage caused.
Although he said he can pump the water out as fast as it comes in, the intensity of the flow of the water causes damage to the skirting board. The next step, he says, is to install tiles similar to those at the back of the terraced property.
Jake Marsh, 35, was helping his mum clear up her home in Diglis Avenue. "It's a little bit worse than the last few. We had a big one in 2020 but have had some work done since then. But it's just one of those things, living on the river," he said.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel