Last updated at 14:49, Monday, 03 September 2012

A CLEAN-UP operation has begun after flash floods hit Dalton.

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United Utilities said the hour-long downpour on Sunday morning flooded around 14 homes in and around Newton Road.

Insurance companies were yesterday inspecting the damage and organising accommodation for the victims, with several due to be put up in either the Abbey House Hotel in Barrow or the Clarence House Hotel in Dalton.

Mark Williams, who was yet to learn where he will be housed, was in Manchester when the heavens opened at around 10am but water marks indicate his entire groundfloor and his back garden were submerged.

Mr Williams’ home at number 10 Newton Road had been on the market for six weeks, but he has now had to ask the estate agent to put things on ice.

The 48-year-old, who is fully insured, said: “My neighbours called me about 10.30am to say ‘We’ve got a bit of a problem here, you better get back’.

“I was at my partner’s in Manchester and the traffic on the M61 was affected at Prestwich – so I’ve come from one flood zone to another. It was pointless coming back straight away because there was no power here. I’ve come back this morning, but there’s not much you can do at this stage.”

Two feet of water flooded the downstairs at the house of Mr Williams’ next-door neighbours, Brian and Marilyn Meller.

Mr Meller said: “It just happened so fast, there was nothing we could do. It just shows you the power of water.

“There was nothing at all to suggest it was coming, then all of a sudden it started and the heavens opened – it was thunder and lightning with hailstones the size of golfballs.

“I got in touch with the fire brigade and then started to do what we could, bailing out, but that was to no avail.

“We were devastated. People that have lived here for 30-odd years said they’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Residents thanked Homebase and B&Q in Barrow for providing free sand bags.

First published at 16:04, Tuesday, 07 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk