Homes evacuated as floods hit area

Dec 24 2008 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON residents were evacuated from their homes last Friday when a nearby burn burst its banks.

Torrential rain caused the Earnock Burn to rise more than 20ft in the Lady Watson Gardens area.

People living there this week blasted the council for a “lack of support” in providing defences in the flood-prone residential area.

Gordon Atherton (55), who has lived at 10 Lady Watson Gardens for the last 20 years, said Friday’s incident was the third time in two years that his home has been damaged by flooding.

Following a 2006 flood work to repair damage to inside walls, ceilings, coving, plastering and wooden flooring, and electrical rewiring cost £180,000.

Mr Atherton said: “The work took months to complete.

“I had just moved back in to my house in March, only to have the flooding episode happen in August and again last Friday.”

The cost of the 2008 repairs to the house has been estimated at £190,000.

The resident demanded that the council pull together an action plan as quickly as possible to alleviate the problem.

He said: “Sandbags provided by the council have done little to prevent water seeping into the houses and foundations.”

Genuine wood floors have been warped by the water, and a £7000 limestone fireplace was condemned due to water damage.

Mr Atherton explained: “Although no water penetrated the house itself, the damage to the foundations is what costs so much.”

A neighbour, John Baird (63) from number 17, has been in talks with other residents to rally support for a flood prevention meeting, scheduled with council officials in January at their Almada Street headquarters.

Another couple, who live nearby in Earnock Gardens who did not want to be named, sympathised with the residents who were flooded, but were gravely concerned that the only access into the street was blocked by large council trucks and fire engines for hour on Friday.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I have heart disease and am recovering from a stroke.

“We understand these vehicles need to be in the vicinity to do their job, but they prevented entry and exit to Earnock Gardens for many hours on Friday.

“If I had taken another stroke or a heart attack, an ambulance would have been unable to reach me in time for the urgent treatment I would require.”

Firefighters and council staff worked together using portable pumps, which took two and a quarter hours to clear.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said: “We received a call at 2.15pm to visit Lady Watson Gardens, we assisted council workers and left at 4.30pm.”

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman, said: “We had a culvert crew in attendance.

“There was also a six-inch pump which complemented two water pumps from the fire and rescue service.

“Sandbags were also supplied to residents on Friday.

“A clear up of the culvert grill was conducted on Saturday.

“This was to ensure that no build up of debris affected the pipe.”