Rain brings wave of destruction (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Rain brings wave of destruction

3:06pm Friday 27th July 2007

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Torrential rain swept across the borough last Friday leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Heston fire station flooded while the firefighters were elsewhere answering many calls from houses and business that had been flooded by the sudden downpour.

While in Feltham, part of the roof of the Matalan store gave way under the pressure of the rain. Firefighters were called to the store at 11.42am after staff reported water pouring through the ceiling.

The crew arrived at the scene and used suction machines to clear the shop floor, which was submerged in two-feet of water. Blue watch station manager Philip Watkins, who attended the call, said: "The shop's internal drainage couldn't cope with the rainwater."Following the call to the fire brigade, customers were immediately evacuated from the shop floor and staff donned wellies and assisted in the clear-up operation diverting the water towards the fire exits.

Shop manager Jason Hicks said: "There was a lot of water gushing through the ceiling."

Lorraine Prideux, manager of the Centre, said: "The unprecedented amount of rain overwhelmed the street drain systems, roof drains and gulleys."

Meanwhile, as firefighers were pumping out water at various locations across the borough, Heston fire station in London Road, Isleworth, was flooded.

Angela Smith, administration officer at Heston fire station said: "They had been out taking care of pumping jobs and when they came back they saw water pouring down the stairs."

Mogden sewage works in Isleworth confirmed that it continued to operate normally during the flooding. Ross Edwards communications consultant for Mogden said: "We had to discharge partially treated stormwater into the River Thames and have been in discussions with the Environment Agency throughout." The monsoon-style weather brought chaos to both Chiswick High Road and Turnham Green.

The heavy rainfall was so intense that manhole covers in Chiswick High Road were lifted by the water pressure. Nick Finn, who works for estate agents Sworn and Co in the High Road, said: "A manhole cover was lifted six-feet into the air - it was a spectacular sight ."

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