Floods brought community spirit

"I'm so proud of my boys:" Ellie Lamb and sons Matthew, Aaron and Mark. Their Bransholme home was flooded but they helped others in need

Hull in print looks at how communities rallied together during this summer's floods

One of the things people will remember from the floods is the wonderful community spirit.
Like that showed by council tenant Ellie Lamb and her three sons - twins Aaron and Mark (aged 12) and Matthew (14).
They were forced to move into the council's emergency rest centre at Hull City Hall after floods hit their home on Cookbury Close, Bransholme.
Sleeping on chairs along with hundreds of others and not knowing how badly damaged their home had become, it was a frightening time, recalls Ellie.
But instead of sitting back and feeling sorry for themselves the family volunteered to help others in need, and soon found themselves making and delivering aid parcels.
"I am so proud of my boys," says Ellie. "They are only young, but they are learning the value of helping other people.
"The community spirit has been wonderful during the floods. We've had neighbours rallying round to help each other.
"The people working at the rest centre were remarkable – all credit to them. They were respectful to everyone and dealt with us brilliantly, especially the many elderly people who were there."
"The council staff were in good spirits despite the fact that they were obviously working long hours under challenging circumstances."

Top level support

After two nights in the Hull City Hall, Ellie was offered temporary accommodation but wanted to return home as quickly as possible.
She was visited by council officers who assessed her individual circumstances and offered her a Silver Support package.
This included power and heating being restored at her home, a survey to identify repairs needed, and measures being put in place to dry the property.
She has also received cleaning materials, and support from a team of specialist cleaners.
"The floods were terrifying," she adds. "The quantity of water that came into my house – it just rose so quickly – right up to the first step on my stairs.
"But the council officers have been brilliant. They've kept in touch with me and let me know what's happening. They're working hard to make sure the most vulnerable people are dealt with first – and that's only right."

Titanic rescue

Meanwhile, help came from people from all walks of life in many different ways.
And that included the three contractor companies who are currently working on the Decent Homes Programme to improve council homes in the city.
Staff from Connaught Partnership Ltd waded through flood water in Orchard Park to deliver essential provisions, including milk, bread and baby food to families and the elderly.
In a thank you letter one resident from the estate wrote: "I want to thank everyone at Connaught for all their help. I was rescued from my house which was badly flooded. I felt like I was on the Titanic, but the man who helped me was very adept at rescue – a thousand thanks."
Meanwhile, staff from Kingstown Works Ltd (KWL), the council owned company, used their dinghy (pictured) to rescue people from a residential care home in the Pickering Ward.
And staff from Kier Building Maintenance rescued an elderly lady from Hotham Road South and arranged for her to be evacuated to the emergency rest centre at Hull City Hall.
All three contractors also helped vulnerable people by removing damaged carpets and furniture from homes and assisting with the clearout of residential homes and sheltered dwellings.

One of the council's mobile flood units

With a little help...

Meanwhile, special council mobile units moved into flood-hit neighbourhoods across the city taking help straight to over 800 of the city's most needy tenants and residents.
Distributing donated cleaning supplies and offering advice, information and support, the units were staffed by volunteers from across the council.
"I think these units are a very good idea and are a good response to the situation," said Hardane resident Billy Northard, who received help from the mobile unit stationed near Milldane flats.
"It's good to have someone to turn to when you're in a crisis.
"The staff were very helpful. One young lady came across to my house with me. She carried some disinfectant to my home and she had a look inside. She was smashing. I am very proud of the staff on that unit. I am over the moon with them. Without these people I wouldn't have known who to turn to for help."