Residents and businesses in Buckingham are reeling from the devastating impact of Storm Bert, which caused severe flooding on Monday, leaving homes and livelihoods in ruins.
Among those affected was Ellie Bailey, 29, whose basement property was inundated with up to 4ft (1.2m) of water for the second time in two months.
Ms. Bailey, her wife, and their four-year-old son were away for the weekend when the River Great Ouse burst its banks, overwhelming their rented home.
“The kitchen’s all bowed, and all of our furniture has fallen apart,” Ms. Bailey said. “Our wedding presents, pictures, and even our son’s toys were destroyed. He pointed at the water and said, ‘Look Mummy, there’s my train.’ You have to laugh, or you’d cry.”
The family had faced a similar situation in September when their home flooded to “skirting board height” while they were on their honeymoon. This time, the deluge came too quickly to save any belongings.
With no contents insurance—citing high costs or outright refusal from insurers—Ms. Bailey described the emotional and financial toll as “draining.”
Despite this, she expressed her attachment to the home, saying, “We absolutely love it here, but we have to weigh up the health risks. Flooding like this is supposed to happen twice in a century, yet it’s happened twice in a few months.”
Local Businesses Also Hit Hard
The New Inn, a neighboring pub run by Louise Maloney, 58, suffered extensive damage, including the loss of stock worth thousands of pounds.
“The cellar is completely ruined,” Ms. Maloney said. “We were assured this wouldn’t happen again after the last flood in 2020, but here we are.”
Ms. Maloney, who also lacked flood insurance due to past incidents, described the event as “harrowing and devastating.”
Yet, she credited the community’s emotional and financial support for helping her find the strength to rebuild. “We’re trying to stay strong and get ready to reopen.”
Council Pledges Support
Buckinghamshire Council reported receiving 60 call-outs related to the storm. Thomas Broom, the council’s cabinet member for climate change and environment, assured residents of ongoing support.
“The council has provided sandbags and launched a new ‘Be Flood Ready’ website,” Mr. Broom said. “We are committed to working with affected residents and businesses to find solutions and help them build resilience in high-risk areas.”
A Call for Action
Both Ms. Bailey and Ms. Maloney expressed frustration over the recurrence of flooding despite assurances and supposed preventative measures.
“The council and our landlord have been great, but more needs to be done to protect homes and businesses from this kind of devastation,” Ms. Bailey said.
While the community has rallied to provide replacement clothing and furniture, the road to recovery for Buckingham’s residents and business owners remains daunting.
The aftermath of Storm Bert serves as a stark reminder of the increasing challenges posed by climate change and the urgent need for effective flood prevention strategies.
