Search for ‘missing’ flood-hit families
Oct 2 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
WORK to help a market town recover from its worst-ever flooding disaster is being hampered because council officials have been unable to contact more than 200 “missing” households.
About 900 homes were hit by flooding in Morpeth when the River Wansbeck turned into a raging torrent and burst its banks almost a month ago.
Families were forced to move out and hundreds are now living with relatives, in hotels and guesthouses, rented accommodation or in caravans.
Officials at Castle Morpeth Borough Council – which is co-ordinating the massive post-flooding relief efforts – have made contact with about 700 affected households to ensure they are safe and to assess their needs.
However, they have been unable to get in touch with the occupants of about 205 private properties, despite knocking on doors and delivering leaflets over the last three weeks.
The mystery of where the occupants have gone is hampering contingency planning and work to cater for the needs of all of the town’s flooding victims.
Yesterday Trevor Walker, who has been switched from his post as the council’s director of neighbourhood regeneration and culture to spearhead the flood recovery operation, said: “Some people hit by the flooding seem to have disappeared off the face of the Earth.
“The big thing for us is getting information so that we can address people’s needs, but we have still got about 205 households who have not been in touch with us, and we don’t know where they are.
“Until we make contact with these people it is impossible to plan for what they need.
“We are setting up services to help people deal with homelessness and with psychological and emotional problems, but we need to be in touch with them.” Of the 900 homes affected by the flooding, 172 were housing association properties and 734 were privately owned. The council is now considering siting 20 mobile homes in the High Church area of Morpeth to provide accommodation for homeless families – and is also looking at other potential locations.
Seven estate officers – each with responsibility for about 100 properties – have been appointed to liaise with flood victims and work out their needs.
Mr Walker said: “It is a terrible situation and I have been taken off my duties to deal with the flooding full time.
“We have got about 25 people working full time on this, and for an organisation of just over 200 employees that is incredible.”
Flood victims who have not yet made contact with the council are urged to do so by calling (01670) 535000.
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