A community fundraising appeal for the victims of the devastating floods in Monmouth has surged past the £100,000 mark, offering a glimmer of hope to residents and business owners who have been left financially crippled. The urgent need for support became clear as heartbreaking stories emerged of people discovering their insurance policies contained small print excluding flood damage.
A Dream Business Turned Nightmare
Among the hardest hit are Andrea Sholl, 58, and her husband Martin, 66. The couple had just cashed in a lump sum from Martin's pension to purchase their dream property, Bar 125 on Monnow Street. Having been open for trade for just eight days, their new venture was ravaged by floodwaters during Storm Claudia in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Andrea described the scene as their business was inundated. "It was coming through the front and back door and could not get out," she said. "We moved our brand new velvet chairs upstairs... by the time we got down the garden room was up to waist height. It was travelling uphill. It was pretty scary and it happened so quickly."
The couple, who had previously run a successful business in Usk, estimated their losses could reach £50,000 after their brand new kitchen equipment, including freezers and fryers, was submerged under five feet of water. The devastating blow was compounded when they contacted their insurance company. "I was on the phone to the insurance company who told me we were not covered for floods, it's in the small print," Andrea revealed. "But that small print should be the large print!"
Community Spirit and Political Response
In the face of this adversity, the community of Monmouth has rallied impressively. The Mayor of Monmouth set up a JustGiving page, which initially aimed to raise £5,000 but quickly smashed that target. The fundraiser has now collected over £104,000 as donations poured in from across the country.
This community spirit was also witnessed firsthand by the Sholls. "What has been a real comfort for us is when we put a plea out on Facebook and within ten minutes you've got people there with mops and brushes all happy to help," Andrea said.
The crisis has also prompted a political response. At the Welsh Parliament's First Minister's Questions on Tuesday, Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, called for a "rapid review" of the storm and its impact. He highlighted the extraordinary scenes in Monmouth, where the River Monnow overtopped its defences and swept through the town centre.
In response, First Minister Eluned Morgan acknowledged the severity of the event, noting that five inches of rain fell in just five hours, creating a situation worse than even the storms of Bert and Dennis. She confirmed that reviews are standard procedure after such events to assess the response and identify improvements.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
The clean-up operation in Monmouth continues, with electricity still switched off at most businesses as a safety precaution. A major incident was declared during the peak of the flooding, which saw dozens of people rescued from their homes or evacuated after the River Monnow burst its banks.
Despite the devastation, Andrea Sholl remains hopeful for the future, drawing strength from the community's support. "The only comforting thought is the support we have got," she stated. "We know when we reopen the doors people will come."
The public's generous donations are now set to provide crucial financial assistance to those like the Sholls who have found themselves facing immense losses just weeks before Christmas.
