After the flood

Dec 20 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

HUNDREDS of flood victims face spending Christmas away from their homes in the aftermath of last month’s disaster.

A total of 2,239 businesses and homes were affected by the flooding, which cut a multi-million pound trail of devastation across the county, and also cost police officer Bill Barker his life.

And figures released by Cumbria County Council show hundreds of homes will be uninhabitable for some time, leaving at least 350 people staying with friends and relatives, or living in caravans, holiday homes and B&Bs this Christmas and New Year.

That number could be even higher too, as many may not have contacted officials to ask for help.

However, while they may not be able to enjoy home comforts this yuletide, charity and civic leaders have revealed how the community has made an extra push to make December 25 comfortable for everyone.

Judi Evans, operations director for British Red Cross, said: “The community is definitely responding to the situation and making a huge effort.

“The Welfare Recovery Group is overseeing the recovery of places hit, including Cockermouth, Workington, Ulverston and Keswick and all manner of things have been planned from Christmas parties and lunches to setting up 24/7 pager helplines over the Christmas period.

“So many different charities are involved as well as us too, such as Churches Together and the Salvation Army. We are all working hard together.

“Cumbria isn’t sitting back and waiting for things to happen . . . the community as a whole is getting on with it.”