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Flooding along the Severn Valley

Article posted on 24 February 2014

Along the Severn Valley, recent extreme weather conditions have shown that, generally speaking, those areas treated by flood defence systems have been protected and left unscathed.

However, flood defence systems tend to force the water somewhere else, essentially transferring and sometimes exacerbating the problem. This leads to situations where isolated houses and farms suffer severe flood damage.

Additionally, it’s a different picture in those areas without flood defence systems. Here we have seen large areas of land affected by flooding, leading to the areas being cut off and widespread damage to property.

The damage can take many forms. Flood water can be contaminated because often the surge of water overwhelms the sewage system causing flood water and sewage to mix. This is why the whole ground floor of a property will need to be stripped out and completely renovated. Residents need to vacate their homes, often for several months while the strip out, drying and remedial works are completed.

Although water levels are now receding, the clean up operation has begun in earnest and the scale of the damage is becoming apparent.

Most severely affected areas along the Severn Valley are Shrewsbury, Ironbridge Telford, Bewdley, Worcester, Tewksbury, Hereford, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucester

What are the potential pitfalls within the insurance industry?

In an ideal situation, the insurance companies appoint a Loss Adjuster to manage the claim by liaising with the policy holder, appointing contractors to complete the renovation and overseeing the whole process to ensure the policy holder is fully satisfied.

However, we are seeing many signs that the scale of the problems caused by recent extreme weather is overwhelming both insurance companies and Loss Adjusters. The result of this is that the policy holder is getting a sub optimal service; communications are not as good as they could be, there are unacceptable delays in getting properties dried and renovated and the homeowner is left frustrated and stressed.

What we can do to help?

In cases like this, National Home Repairs can help. We offer a complete end-to-end service acting for the policy holder to:

• Communicate directly with all UK loss adjusters and insurance Companies


• Appoint and manage reputable, trusted contractors to ensure all work is completed to a high standard

This means that the policy holder has a trusted partner to work with to resolve problems and get the best possible service and settlement from their insurance company.

If you live in the areas of the Severn Valley (particularly Shrewsbury, Ironbridge Telford, Bewdley, Worcester, Tewksbury, Hereford, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucester) and have been affected by the recent tidal surge, contact National Home Repair today on 0844 906 0060