Families have been forced from their homes as severe flooding hits parts of Cornwall.
Multiple families across parts of Cornwall have been displaced after days of heavy rainfall in the wake of Storm Chandra, which hit the South-West. The continuous rain caused rivers to overflow, leaving roads impassable and homes and businesses completely flooded.
The rapidly rising water levels also caused significant damage to cars, farmland and local shops. While some residents were forced to flee their homes and find somewhere else to live, others stayed behind and spent the night trying to protect their homes and their livelihoods.
Dean Tulley and Holly Laverick were greatly affected by the floods alongside their four children, the youngest being only nine months old. The couple and their children, who live in Bareppa near Falmouth, have been forced to live in temporary accommodation after the two properties they had stayed in were flooded twice in one week.
The flooding had hit their home last Monday, the severity rendering it uninhabitable. Following this, the family then lived with friends for a while before moving into an Airbnb. On Thursday, further rain meant that the family were forced to relocate once more.
“Things are replaceable but all the time, energy, hard work and memories we have already in that house just seem tainted”, stated Holly Laverick. She added: “We drove away from the house and I just cried”.
They are now living in a holiday park and plan to stay there until they come up with a solution on how to repair the critical damage caused by the flooding.
Cornwall Council have said that crews are working hard to clear the drains and remove all debris. Although due to continuous rainfall, this effort has proven to be difficult. The council have resorted to placing sandbags in the areas impacted the most.
Multiple flood warnings are continuing to be issued by the Environment Agency, urging people to take extra care near coastal areas and rivers and to refrain from driving in floodwater.
Despite the likelihood of further rainfall, conditions are expected to improve over the next few days as river levels rapidly fall.
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