Highley couple criticise support from authorities during floods

A couple whose home has been ruined by a metre (3ft) of flood water said they have had "no help" from authorities.

Terry Gale and Jackie Desai-Gale moved into their property in the village of Highley, Shropshire, in December 2022.

Despite high water levels, the pair said they had received "nothing at all, not even a sandbag" from the council.

Shropshire Council said sandbags were available to all properties at risk throughout flood incidents.

The couple said it was the third time the property had flooded over the past few months and that they were "heartily fed up".

"We just didn't expect this, we thought there would be provision and help and things in place to ensure that we don't have to live with this," Mr Gale said.

Ms Desai-Gale told BBC Radio Shropshire they did not know who to ask for help.

"I've been very tearful this morning, it's devastated us this has," she said, "It's more than what we expected."

"We don't know what to do, we've got everything we possibly can half-way above the skirting boards and it's just getting worse."

She said the water was "absolutely crashing down the River Severn," and it was moving so fast it was "dangerous and very frightening".

Ms Desai-Gale said her computer, desk and carpets were "ruined" and some of her belongings, including pots, were "floating down the River Severn".

"Nobody wants to listen, nobody wants to help us. We've had no help whatsoever," she added.

Shropshire Council said it would contact the couple to offer support and would arrange a visit with the Environment Agency once the water had receded.

Although sandbags could be useful, they did not always provide an "effective flood defence against flood waters" in a major flood, they added.

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