A family in Hemel Hempstead has been left temporarily homeless after a flash flood destroyed their apartment.
Jade Lewis, her fiancée Gareth and son Luke (12) have had to leave their house in Pluto Rise as it was demeaned uninhabitable by the fire service.
The heavy rain on August 12 lead sewage water to be forced backward and up through the toilet, sinks and bath.
The mum and fiancée Gareth are now living with one of Jade’s sister, their son Luke instead is with the other sister.
Jade said: “The damage was just awful. Every single piece of furniture which touched the floor was destroyed.
“When it started pouring down a lot, I rang Luke as I wasn’t at home. I asked him to check the toilet to see if the colour was changing – I knew that could happen as the apartment had flooded before, two years ago – and he said it was.
“I tried to get back home as fast as I could and asked him to put his stuff on the bed and to leave the house immediately. I left a message to my neighbour asking her to get Luke outside.
“When I arrived, I went round looking for Luke and I found him at my neighbours’ house, she kept him safe.
“It was only later that I discovered Luke tried to leave the flat and he couldn’t open the front door because the water was coming up so high on the outside. He was blocked inside, and my neighbour helped him get out.”
The police and the fire brigade arrived at the scene, they had to pump over the fields all the water around the flat.
She continued: “Only two years ago I had the whole flooring re-done, painted every wall and bought new furniture. It was all destroyed, there were faeces all over the floor.
“Certain things can’t be replaced, for example my son had a signed t-shirt from his favourite YouTuber, DanTDM. Years ago, we queued hours to meet him at the Marlowes Shopping Centre and that was on the bottom of his wardrobe and it got destroyed, he cried, he cried so much for that.”
The council has found another house for the family, which will not be ready until the end of September.
Jade said: “I think until the end of September it’s going to be a bit of a battle for me to find a suitable temporary accommodation, as I want my family to be back together.
“My sister has, out of love, set up a fundraising page to help us out. I don’t expect people to donate and I’m not saying we need money, but I’m grateful to whoever supported us so far.”
If you wish to donate go to uk.gofundme.com/f/family-home-destroyed-in-flash-flooding-highfield
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