Firefighters' union points to cuts as Monmouth hit by floods

A MONMOUTH resident whose home was flooded in Storm Claudia has described how the flood “sounded like the sea” as 5ft of water poured through her letterbox and broke through doors.

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Brigid O'Hara said it is the worst flood she has experienced at Monnow Mill where she and her husband Andrew Jones have lived for 18 years.

Brigid said she became concerned on Friday night when the water was lapping 5ft against the French windows in her kitchen.

“We regularly flood but this was different. It has become more frequent and worse,’ she said.

“We have a water pump in the cellar but this time the water was so high and so fierce it came up through the floor and broke through the doors and forced the locked doors open.

“It was terrifying because you think it will smash through the glass. I was alone so I went upstairs with the dog”

Brigid said as she knew there would be a flood she had charged torches and neighbours had helped her move some furniture upstairs.

“You have to keep calm but this was horrible,’ she said. “The electricity went off downstairs and it was like the sea going by it was so noisy. There was the noise of trees in the river banging against the walls of the house. It was like being on a boat.

“We are philosophic because of where we live but this is serious. It could have been life-threatening.”

Fire crews offered to evacuate Brigid but she opted to stay. She is insured and says she will stay in the house because when it does not flood “it has the most beautiful view in the world”