For Darren Ridley, a resident of Folkestone, the threat of flooding is a constant companion. He describes being perpetually on alert, checking for rain warnings even in the dead of night. “Our whole family is permanently on edge,” he says, explaining that the mere sound of rain triggers a frantic check of the house and a mental replay of their flood plan.
A Growing Crisis
Ridley’s home floods at least twice a year, with his garden inundated far more frequently, often overnight. The speed and nature of these floods are particularly distressing. “The floods come so quickly that it’s unbelievable. We often wake up to find our garden a metre deep,” he says. What’s more, the water isn’t clean – it’s raw sewage, arriving with immense force. He recounts witnessing an elderly neighbour being knocked over by debris carried in the floodwaters.
The situation Ridley faces is not isolated. Across the UK, more than 6 million properties in England alone are already at risk from rivers, the sea, sewage, or surface water. This number is projected to rise to 8 million – roughly one in four – by mid-century as the climate continues to change.
The Human Cost of Flooding
The impact extends far beyond property damage. Flooding throws lives into chaos, leaving lasting trauma. Ridley describes his family as “flood-scarred,” and shares the harrowing experience of his children growing up surrounded by sewage. He details the disgusting aftermath, with debris like “condoms and sanitary towels hanging off my apple trees” and a garden overrun with pests.
Even when authorities respond, assistance is often incomplete. After each flood, Kent county council drains the liquid, but a second team tasked with debris removal often refuses to proceed due to the hazardous nature of the sewage, leaving Ridley and his neighbours to clear it themselves while wearing protective gear.
A Collective Response
For 26 years, Ridley has appealed to local authorities and Southern Water to address the failing infrastructure, but feels his voice, representing only a few properties, has been ignored. This frustration led to the formation of Flooded People UK earlier this year. The organization aims to empower flood victims to support each other and collectively advocate for change.
Heather Shepherd, co-founder of Flooded People UK and architect of the UK’s flood action group infrastructure, lives in north Shropshire and has been flooded six times in the past three years. She describes a cycle of alerts and relentless inundation, with floodwaters reaching neck-level on her driveway. “Water is relentless,” she says, having spent over £70,000 on flood-resistant adaptations.
New research from the National Emergencies Trust (NET) and Lancaster University highlights the lack of adequate financial and wellbeing support for flood victims, with almost half receiving no professional assistance and many facing debt due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Looking Ahead
William Wareing, chair of the Witney flood group in West Oxfordshire, believes Flooded People UK offers a crucial avenue for amplifying local concerns and influencing policy. He emphasizes that flooding is a nationwide problem requiring urgent attention to development practices, infrastructure investment, and maintenance.
Official assessments indicate that surface-water flooding is now the largest contributor to overall flood risk, surpassing traditional river and coastal flooding, threatening approximately 4.6 million homes and businesses in England. Without significant changes – stronger planning reforms, investment in infrastructure, and a national strategy to address sewage and drainage failures – more families could face the devastating consequences of flooding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flooded People UK?
Flooded People UK is a not-for-profit organization formed earlier this year to enable flood victims to help each other and build a collective voice to lobby for change.
How often does Darren Ridley’s property flood?
Darren Ridley’s house in Folkestone floods at least twice a year, and his garden floods far more often.
What does research from the National Emergencies Trust show about support for flood victims?
Research from the National Emergencies Trust and Lancaster University shows that almost half of flood survivors receive no professional support, and many are pushed into debt due to barriers accessing grants or insurance payouts.
What more can be done to support communities facing the increasing threat of flooding?