Cumbria floods

savvy

badmumof1 wrote: »

http://www.cumbriafoundation.org/

Just donated.
Living in a flood risk area i really feel for these people.
I was watching the news area and one woman said her excess was 20k !!
this is why some of the people dont have insurance

Errata I don't want to edit your post, yet think it's important to put badmumof1's link in up the top in your first post, would you be so kind as to edit your post and do that so that it stands out and is quick to get at for others?

Many thanks in advance.

sandiep

We did business in Cockermouth for years, and it's a lovely town, and the people warm genuine people. The thing that will kill the town is the timing, the delay in the insurance companies actually paying out, their normal dodging tatics, and the fact that those poor businesses have just lost the busiest trading period of the year.

Poosmate

I feel really sad for the people who have lost so much and I understand those who don't have insurance because of the huge excesses.

The only advice I can offer to anyone who will not be able to move back into their properties for several months is to contact your local council's council tax department and stop paying it immediately. I know it may seem a strange thing to advise but I know of people who moved out of flood damaged properties, stopped paying their council tax and was faced with threatening letters of bailiff and court action some months later.

Also, if your local council or the Environment Agency sends you a flood survey in the not too distant future, complete the survey with as much information as you can and send it back to them. It all helps for them to plan and design better drainage systems and flood defences in the future.

I would also urge everyone to campaign against future development on historical flood plains.

Please remember that this flooding is being described as a 1 in 1000 year event. This does not mean that it won't happen again next year or in 2 years time. Don't mean to be a scare monger but just be aware.

I think what I am trying to say is, well if I was in this position I would be stashing supplies in the loft, things such as cleaning products, toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, anything that won't go off or perish, even tinned food (keep this somewhere more accessable so you can use it before the sell/use by date). I suggest this because, after losing so much and being faced with immediate unexpected bills, if you can put off doing a "huge" shop (remember everything in your kitchen will need replacing) for as long as possible, it will all help in the weeks following the flood.

I hope I don't upset or offend anyone with my suggestions or advice, they are offered with genuine sincerity and caring in my heart.

Best wishes to all who have been affected.

Poo