Storm Chandra Aftermath: Families Face Renewed Flood Threat as More Rain Looms
The devastating aftermath of Storm Chandra continues to wreak havoc across the United Kingdom, with families in flood-stricken regions now facing the grim prospect of further inundation as fresh weather warnings are issued. The storm, which hammered huge swathes of the country earlier this week, has left communities desperately picking up the pieces, only to confront the possibility of renewed flooding in the coming days.
Heartbreak in Devon as Family Home is Destroyed
In Weycroft near Axminster, Devon, Billy Vernon, 39, has been left heartbroken after his four-bedroom rented property was destroyed by waist-high floodwater in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The father of two lost all his furniture, treasured belongings, and even family pets as the deluge swept through his home, located close to the River Axe.
"All my furniture downstairs is destroyed, including two TVs, table and chairs, all of the conservatory furniture and everything in my kids' playroom," Billy said, describing the true scale of devastation revealed during the clean-up. "The whole kitchen will have to come out. My tools were inside and they are all destroyed now. It stinks throughout the house. The hardest part for me is seeing my kids' Christmas presents destroyed."
Adding to the family's anguish, baby pictures and photographs of Billy's recently deceased mother were damaged, while five chickens and four ducks were found dead in the garden after the flooding.
Fresh Showers Spark Fears of Repeat Flooding
Just as Billy and his family managed to pump most of the water out of their home, fresh showers began to fall ahead of a yellow weather warning, sparking fears that the property could be swamped all over again. The family is now sheltering upstairs with only basic appliances, including a fridge donated by a charity, as they brace for another sleepless night.
"I'm still trying to get on top of it - and I know that it could happen again in 24 hours," Billy said, expressing the anxiety shared by many across the region. "We've just moved all of the furniture outside to dry, but it has started raining now, so it's just getting more and more wet. All we can do is put our flood barriers back in place and hope the water doesn't come over the back wall."
Somerset Residents Battle Historic Flood Conditions
Meanwhile, in the village of Burrowbridge, Somerset, Lesley and John Parker are facing what they describe as the scariest flood conditions since their home was devastated in 2014, when three feet of water forced them to evacuate. The couple, who have lived in their property for 14 years, have installed flood barriers and sandbags around their home in a desperate attempt to hold back the rising waters.
"There's been a few sort of hairy moments, but at the moment... with the forecast, the rate and rise of the water is the quickest it's ever been," Mrs Parker said. "We've had a few scares, but this is probably the scariest, and I was told on Monday I would be under water today."
The Parkers expressed frustration with the official response, believing the Environment Agency has done "too little too late" to save their home. They recalled how during the 2014 floods, water came straight up through the floor despite sandbagging doors and vents, forcing them to live in a caravan on their drive for months while their home was repaired.
Council Declares Major Incident as Infrastructure Struggles
Somerset Council declared a major incident on Tuesday evening as Storm Chandra brought widespread disruption and flooding across the region. An estimated 50 properties have been affected by flooding across Ilminster, West Coker, Taunton, Mudford and West Camel, with key routes through Burrowbridge shut due to inundation.
The Environment Agency has nearby pumps running at "full capacity" to drain water away, but faces the challenge of pumping into already full rivers. A spokesman defended the agency's response, stating: "Our incident response has been ahead of the curve - not behind it. Staff have been working hard 24/7 to protect people and property."
Additional pumps have been set up ahead of agreed timing, with the agency prepared to maximise any window of opportunity as river levels drop. The scale of the rainfall has been historic, with a rain gauge in Fulwood, Somerset, recording the wettest seven-day period in at least 30 years last week.
Communities Brace for Further Rainfall
As heavy rainfall is forecast for Thursday, families across Devon and Somerset are preparing for the worst. The psychological toll is evident as residents who have already lost so much now face the prospect of losing what little they have salvaged.
For Billy Vernon and his sons, aged 17 and 14, the immediate future remains uncertain as they watch the skies and river levels with growing apprehension. Their experience mirrors that of countless families across the region who find themselves caught between the devastation already wrought and the threat of what may yet come.
The aftermath of Storm Chandra serves as a stark reminder of the UK's vulnerability to extreme weather events, with climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of such storms. As communities band together to support one another, questions remain about long-term flood prevention strategies and how to better protect homes and livelihoods in flood-prone areas.
