Volunteers Rally To Protect Brading Homes As Flooding Hits Isle Of Wight

Heavy rainfall last Sunday put homes across the Isle of Wight at risk of flooding, with conditions worsening as rain continued into Monday.

Green Party town councillor for Brading, Paul Garratt, visited Nicholas Close after reports of flooding in the area.

He said one property had already been flooded, with water moving dangerously close to four neighbouring homes.

In response, Councillor Garratt ordered a tonne of sand and 50 sandbags from Jewson in Sandown and appealed for volunteers via Facebook.

He also contacted Greenpeace Isle of Wight for additional support.

The following day, the sandbags were delivered, along with a further 50 bags supplied by Southern Water.

Volunteers from Greenpeace Isle of Wight and members of the local community who responded to the Facebook appeal worked together to fill sandbags and build protective barriers around homes and along the street.

Stephanie Elliott, lead for Greenpeace Isle of Wight, said she was surprised by the lack of organised support when she arrived.

“I responded because I thought if that happened to me, I would be grateful for the help,” she said.

“But when I arrived, there was no emergency response team — just five of us in a cul-de-sac of mostly elderly residents.

"Even getting there was difficult, with flooding and road closures turning what should have been a five-minute journey into half an hour.”

Greenpeace volunteer Jeff Drake said residents told him they had been unable to get assistance from Island Roads.

“There was a small sandbag wall already in place, but it clearly wasn’t enough,” he said.

“We were asked to help protect another house, which we were able to do.

"However, the sandbags were extremely heavy and too difficult for many people to move once filled.”

Councillor Garratt added that the property which flooded had previously suffered similar damage.

“The owners carried out repairs and were hoping to move back in soon. This is a real tragedy for them,” he said.

A spokesperson for Greenpeace Isle of Wight said flooding has been widespread across the island and other parts of the country, warning that climate change is already having significant impacts.

“Climate change is causing weather systems to stall, leading to prolonged periods of heavy rain and storms like those we are seeing now,” they said.

“This greatly increases the risk of severe flooding.

"By 2050, it’s estimated that one in four properties could be at risk, with many becoming uninsurable. We need our elected representatives to treat climate change with the seriousness it deserves and act accordingly.”

More information about the impacts of climate change can be found via the National Emergency Briefing online or on YouTube, or by contacting Greenpeace Isle of Wight through Facebook.