Monmouth flood victims gearing up to spend Christmas away from home

In Monmouth, the impact of devastating floods that struck just over a month ago continues to be deeply felt by residents and businesses alike. Many homes have become unsellable, with some families forced to spend their Christmas in rented accommodation while repairs are underway. Retailers face significant challenges as they work to recoup losses, often running into tens of thousands of pounds due to damaged stock. Despite these hardships, local people remain determined, emphasizing that “the town is open for business,” even as concerns linger about the survival of some enterprises and the lengthy waits for residents with insurance to return home.

One family at the center of the flood’s aftermath is Amelia Raymond’s. Her once recently renovated home suffered severe damage when floodwaters reached chest height, destroying everything on the ground floor. Amelia recalls, “We didn’t have any warning, I opened the front door – it was just a river outside, and there was nobody there.” With the water rising above the mantlepiece, all the furniture was lifted and floated away. Now, Amelia, her husband, and their young son are living in rented accommodation, facing an uncertain return to normality. Without insurance, they are handling repairs themselves, and she notes that the kitchen remains too wet for use. Amelia also mentioned that, while she isn’t planning to move, selling the house would be difficult given its location on Drybridge Street, affected as it is by flooding.

Monmouth’s commercial sector is also feeling the flood’s sting. Many businesses face long roadblocks to recovery, and some may never reopen. Among them is Jenny Chuter, a local business owner who lost £10,000 in stock across her two shops. Jenny described the situation as “very difficult” and “very tricky,” highlighting how devastating it has been for everyone in the community, from homeowners to shopkeepers. Despite these challenges, Jenny has worked tirelessly to ensure her shops remained open during the crucial Christmas period, encouraging locals and visitors to continue supporting Monmouth’s businesses, emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity.

The floods were unprecedented in their severity, with the River Monnow reaching historically high levels, surpassing even those recorded during major storms in 2020 and 2024. Typically flowing at six tonnes per second, the river surged to nearly 400 tonnes per second during the flooding. In response, Monmouthshire council has initiated Welsh government-funded grants and introduced free parking in the town in a bid to support struggling businesses. Meanwhile, residents like 80-year-old Wendy Harris face ongoing disruption; her ground floor flat remains uninhabitable due to a thick layer of mud, and she does not expect to return until February. Despite losing her car and all furniture, Wendy remains thankful for the efforts of emergency services and the community’s spirit, finding solace in each reopened shop as the town slowly begins its journey back to normalcy

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