How readers are coping with the floods

As the clean-up operation begins in southern England a victim of the flooding near Tewkesbury describes the problems he is just beginning to face and a survivor of the Hull floods offers advice on the best ways to deal with the aftermath.

DR RICHARD FURNESS, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Richard's submerged study.

Richard's house in the village of Turley near Tewkesbury was badly affected by the flash floods on Friday 20th July.

"It was like the monsoons in India. Within 15 minutes, there was two feet of water in the house.

"At the time, we were too busy dealing with the immediate situation but afterwards we felt shock. We couldn't believe how much water had fallen in so short a time.

"My books, photographs and 300 CDs were just sitting in water. Staircases, doorframes, skirting boards and wooden floor boards are all ruined."

Richard and his wife spent a whole day writing a list of things that were ruined in the deluge.

Richard's flooded road inTurley.

Days later and the waters have gone but have left mud and sludge behind. According to Richard, the smell is now appalling.

Richard says that he is trying to stay strong and that the spirit of his village is helping him through.

"The neighbours are all mucking in. We're not depressed and we will come out of it."

SUE, WEST HULL

Sue came home from holiday on 6th July. She opened the door to her flat in West Hull to discover it was flooded beneath four feet of water and sewage.

"Everything was ruined - furniture, white goods, kitchen units, carpets and even the plaster on the walls."

She had to move out of her flat and stay with a friend. She began the clean-up process which involved calling her insurance company, speaking to loss adjusters, builders and disinfectant companies.

Four weeks down the line and Sue is still not able to return to her flat although she is definitely on the road to recovery. Here's her advice:

• Call your employer and explain your situation. You will spend a lot of time on the phone to various people such as insurers, loss adjusters and builders and you will also need a lot of time off to give workers access to your property. If possible, arrange to work flexi-time.

• Talk to friends and colleagues to get the name of a good and reliable builder to carry out the repair work.
• Be persistent and chase people. Don't give up until you have the answers you need.
• Get rid of damaged goods as soon as possible. Try not to get too sentimental when throwing things away. If you can, get someone else to do it for you.
• Call your electricity and gas companies to let them know your situation and to arrange for them to come and make sure your meters are safe and secure.
• De-humidifiers will be installed in your property. Take meter readings before and after because you can claim back the cost of the electricity used from the insurers.
• Be positive. It will get better.