Woman 'loses everything' as rain floods second-floor flat in South Norwood
CONTINUOUS downpours and strong winds resulted in floods and fallen trees as the South East was drenched in a month and a half's worth of rain this week.
Struggling commuters were also caught in the chaos as the deluge delayed trams and trains, and traffic backed up across Croydon.
Sasher Thomas, 27, lost all her possessions and had to move out of her second-floor flat in Clifford Road, South Norwood, after rain water flooded in on Sunday.
"I began putting buckets out to catch the water," she said. "I tried putting them everywhere but by 10pm I had to leave, it didn't finish until 8am on Monday morning."
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Miss Thomas is currently being housed in a hotel while London and Quadrant housing association surveys the damage.
She said: "I have lost everything, my furniture is damaged, all my clothes, everything is lost.
"It's horrendous. I don't know what I'm going to do; it's hard to take it all in. I just don't know where to start."
The awful weather and strong winds also contributed to numerous trees falling across Croydon. Injuries were avoided despite three trees falling on parked cars. Tree surgeons across the borough were called out to clean up the mess.
Meanwhile Croydon's transport service got into a sticky situation thanks to overrunning works that delayed the tram service.
Commuters up and down Croydon who rely on the trams suffered when the entire system shut down east of East Croydon on Monday.
TfL blamed the bad weather for the disruption.
Howard Smith, TfL's chief operating officer for rail, said: "London Tramlink services were suspended east of East Croydon until 2pm due to overrunning track maintenance work outside East Croydon station.
"The completion of an overnight concrete pour which was part of the work was delayed due to the extremely wet weather."
Comments
by PeterNT
Monday, June 18 2012, 9:45AM
“A bit of damp on the floor but this is hardly bad flooding.
I suspect either the silly lady had no insurance, or she is pulling a fast one to scam the insurance company. I Agree with what Stewey111 said about over claiming. What these people don't know or care about is how much is puts up the premiums for the rest of us.”
by tbabygib
Sunday, June 17 2012, 4:42PM
“It happens to the best of us But, To lose EVERYTHING?
Nothing that a good airing and wash can't fix.
Ok, maybe wallpaper or carpet. But Not glass or hardwood.
I Think She's pulling a fast one ! The photos don't look too bad.!
She should go to Wales And see what Flood Damage Is REALLY LIKE...”
by Stewey111
Sunday, June 17 2012, 11:12AM
“I don't quite understand how she lost EVERYTHING, as Ivor_shed says, she could have put valuables in plastic bags or rubbish bags. Surely the clothes would just need washing.
I feel she is seeking sympathy/charity and a nice insurance payout for items that she may or may not have had in the flat. So all the lovely clothes she bought from Primark will suddenly become the designer labels found in House of Frasier.”
by Ivor_Shed
Saturday, June 16 2012, 11:13AM
“I'm trying to feel sorry for Miss.Thomas but why did she waste time putting out buckets? Why didn't she just put her clothes, valuables etc into waterproof bin bags? Was the rain pouring into every room in her flat?
And what about a follow up story from the occupants of the 1st and ground floor flats underneath – didn't they get the same rain passing through?
We had a flood while on holiday when a pipe fitting burst in our loft. All of the water at mains pressure passed through wardrobes on the first and ground floors soaking all the contents. After 2 days a neighbour with a key came in to water our plants (pity they weren't in the wardrobe) and turned off the mains. She then mopped up, opened the windows and hung the contents of the wardrobes on airers and lines to dry. When we arrived home 2 days later we had no damage and nothing was thrown away.
All of our clothes were dry, but some needed to go into the wash. I was amused by my waterproof jacket which was dry but the pockets were still full of water.
Perhaps she was well insured?”
by roomster
Saturday, June 16 2012, 8:08AM
“So the people who plan the maintenance on the tram line don't take into account the weather before starting work ?”