Homes empty month after flooding

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Some residents whose Black Country houses were flooded a month ago are still unable to return home.

Homes in several Halesowen streets were evacuated when a brook burst its banks on 7 September following heavy rain.

Alvin Moore, of Woodman Road, does not think he will be able to return home for at least six months.

Some people are considering taking legal action against Dudley Council or the Environment Agency which said it could only do so much about the brook.

About 20 homes in Woodman Road and properties in Oberon Close were among those evacuated during the flooding.

Mr Moore said his home was "a mess" with the carpets up and dehumidifiers still in use in a bid to dry the place out.

'A nightmare'

"I can't sleep. I've been waking at four o'clock in the morning and I can't get back to sleep," he said.

"It's been on my mind all the while, thinking about one thing or another like what am I going to do next?"

"It's a nightmare."

He added: "It will be at least six months before I can come back -maybe 12."

Mr Moore's son and his family live in the house opposite and were also flooded. They are living upstairs while repair work is carried out.

Many homes in Grange Crescent, Halesowen, were flooded for the second time in a year when the brook burst its banks.

'Natural process'

Some residents said the brook was blocked by debris and that no-one was taking responsibility for the problems.

A public meeting was held last month and one resident, Jan Kalinski, said they may seek legal advice.

But David Throup, from the Environment Agency, said it could only give a "limited response" and the area which included the brook was covered by 16 agency workers and stretched to Kington, Herefordshire, Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Worcester.

He added: "Flooding is a natural process and these water courses can only take a certain amount of water.

"And it doesn't matter if they are absolutely clear of debris, once that capacity is exceeded it's going to come out of the river."

Cllr Angus Adams, cabinet member for transportation at Dudley Metropolitan Council, said: "We have been working very closely with the Environment Agency to help guard against the flooding for residents in their homes."