Why were Kettering flood victims not warned in time by agency?

Residents living on flood-stricken Kettering estate have been left confused why they were not warned about the impending Christmas Eve disaster.

After heavy rains lashed the county on December 23, leaving drains and gullies unable to cope, and rivers bursting their banks, the residents fo Stratfield Way, Kettering thought that the worst had passed.

But many woke on Christmas Eve to the sound of water bubbling around their homes and saw the usually trickling Slade Brook a boiling brown mass of filthy water rising rapidly.

Resident Ryan Critchley, whose four-bedroomed home was swamped had called the Environment Agency on the evening of Wednesday, December 23 to tell them that water from the brook had reached the edge of a neighbour's property.

He said: "I did try to warn them. I phoned them at about 7pm on the 23rd and said 'there's water on the road at about kerb level'. They said that someone might let them know."

Residents arriving home from late shifts, and leaving on early ones, had reported that the roads were not flooded but by 7am Mr Critchley had woken to find that the water had risen to reach his drive. By 8.30am water had started coming into the house.

He added: "We were not given a flood warning until after we were flooded at 9.12am I got an email, by which time we were already flooded out."

Katie Mason, who had to be rescued by boat said: "During the day the rain came and there were some puddles and the river rose, but then it dropped. At midnight there was nothing. At 5am my neighbour went to work. At 7am she couldn't get back.

"We had an automated call after the floods."

The email said: "Flood Warning issued. Slade Brook in the Venture Park area of Kettering."

It also gave residents a link and a phone number to hear a message.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “The Environment Agency has been dealing with a significant number of reports of flooding following the extreme levels of rainfall over the Christmas period.

“Our thoughts are with those affected by the recent floods. Environment Agency teams are working 24/7 alongside the emergency services and local partners to check and operate defences and support those who have been flooded, reduce the risk of further flooding, keep people informed and keep communities safe through the holiday period.

“We take all reports of flooding seriously and we will investigate the circumstances around the Flood Warnings for Slade Brook and affected properties as soon as we’re able to.”

A further message sent on Christmas Day at 15:57 informed people that the flood warning was no longer in place.

Northamptonshire County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority for the county.

Matt Hoy, Head of Emergency Planning for Northamptonshire County Council said: "We are still in the early stages of fully understanding what the full impacts of the recent flooding have been across the county.

"Our dedicated Flood and Water team will be reviewing the information we receive and making decisions about how and when flood investigations will be undertaken once this initial review is completed."

https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/months-clear-underway-kettering-victims-christmas-eve-floods-3080875To sign up to the Environment Agency's free flood warnings click here.