Flash-floods damage Lancaster homes and businesses

A clear-up is continuing after parts of Lancaster were flooded during torrential rain, amid suggestions that drains failed leaving damaged homes covered in "dirt and mould".

Homes on the Marsh Estate, a hospital and some businesses in the city centre were affected, with householders claiming the water was 6in deep.

The owner of a clothes shop said the lower floor had flooded for the third time in 10 years, while resident Dominic Slater Scott complained "my whole living room was full of dirty water".

Lancashire County Council said anyone affected by flooding should report it to them via the website and it would use any given information to help inform "subsequent investigations".

Paul Cusimano, who owns Joseph & Co, a men's clothes shop in the city, said "anything that was on the floor will be written off".

"It's a case of working out whether it's worth a claim because of the flood excess we have, so I could lose out - but at least it's not my home."

Meanwhile, resident Dominic Slater Scott said he came downstairs on Thursday to find his entire living room flooded.

There was "torrential rain outside and the water was seeping through, and as the morning progressed the water got deeper and deeper," he said.

"We don't expect this in the summertime. It was a big shock.

"We couldn't open the doors because of the heavy water.

"I would have thought the council would have been out cleaning the drains, but they've not, and it's all just backwashed into my home.

"We've been left with all the dirt and mould."

"The floors will need to come up, everything will have to be dried," he said, adding they would probably have to buy new furniture "and the electrical sockets are going to need to be checked".

Scott's partner, Jane Boe, said the water was 6in deep at the door.

"It stopped me from going to work because firstly I couldn't get out the door," she said.

"I thought I'd climb out the window, but then they shut the road off because cars were flying up and down the road and causing waves, which was just making it worse," she said.

"There was no warning at all - it got worse really quick.

"It's horrible, it smells."

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service station manager, Adam Baron, said 18 homes were affected on Willow Lane, and the road had been closed.

"The community spirit has been fantastic," he said. "You see neighbours helping each other out, making cups of tea."

Mandy Bannon, city councillor for Marsh Ward, said she had "never seen anything like it" .

Residents would "be right to be disappointed, upset, shocked, traumatised" by the flood damage to their homes, she said.

"After the extended dry period it's clear the ground has not been able to absorb all the extra run-off and the drains have failed.

"There needs to be a big review of how the drains are maintained and kept unblocked so they can cope."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "We would urge people to take extra care when travelling, avoid driving through floodwater and follow any road closures or temporary traffic management that has been put in place.

"Anyone affected by flooding can report it to the county council via our website.

"Information from residents, businesses and landowners helps us build a clearer picture of the impact of flooding and informs any subsequent investigations."

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