Memories of horrific flooding in Northwich one year on

Storm Christoph was named on January 18 ahead of hitting the UK, and the country braced for exceptionally wet weather across northern England and North Wales.

January 18-20 was one of the wettest three-day periods on record for the north west according to the Met Office, with parts of Cheshire receiving the January wholemonth long-term average rainfall.

This severe weather saw parts of Northwich begin to flood on January 19 before police declared a major incident the following day. Businesses and residents in the town woke up to severe flooding damage on January 21.

Large parts of the town centre were underwater and elderly and vulnerable residents at Weaver Court and Marbury Court care homes had to be evacuated.

Picture from SWNS

Cheshire Autism Practical Support (ChAPS) was badly affected by the January floods, with the ground floor submerged in water.

The charity, which supports children and adults with autism and their families, had spent months refurbishing a building on the banks of the River Weaver, with stunning views overlooking the water.

The property, dubbed The Ark, offered plenty of space for the charity to deliver services such as professional training, group activities and specialist therapy.

Sadly, it become one of many Northwich buildings damaged by flood water last year, causing a massive set back to the charity’s efforts.

Water covered the ground floor, meaning flooring and furniture had to be thrown away.

Natalie Catterall, business manager, also explained how The Ark’s brand new kitchen for its café, including appliances which hadn’t even been used yet, needed to be replaced.

She said: “We had a new interactive TV screen which arrived a couple of days before the flood.

“We didn’t know whether to put it on the wall yet or not, but luckily we decided to, so that was safe up on the wall.

“We were due to have our sensory room fitted a few weeks later – it was a stroke of luck it wasn’t fitted earlier.

“There was so much which was water damaged,” she added.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Ark was not open for activities, meaning time could be put aside to help with the repair efforts.

ChAPS spent months rebuilding their much-loved base, removing the ground floor flooring, refitting new kitchen equipment and replacing its many resources. The drying out of the building itself took several weeks.

But The Ark is now thriving, with The Ark Café open for business Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm, and many activities and services supporting Cheshire residents up and running.

Another business which was faced with the task of rebuilding after being flooded last year says more communication would help to relax fears about future flooding.

Gaynor Sinar, who owns Curtain Magic in High Street, had to close her business on January 21, 2021 when flood water entered the building.

Gaynor said: “We had to have new floors, they had to replace the wall boards half way up and we had to re-paper and paint everywhere. 

“The kitchen had to be replaced and the downstairs toilet too.”

The business reopened on August 3 and since then, Curtain Magic has been busy.

“It’s better than ever now,” Gaynor added.

“It’s really clean and fresh and it’s re-decorated upstairs as well.”

Picture from Cheshire Fire Service

While business is booming, Gaynor said she can’t completely not worry about further flooding happening in the future.

She said more communication to Northwich businesses about what has been done during the past year to minimise the town’s flood risk would help to put business owners’ and residents’ minds at ease.

CRS Consultants in Northwich offers standalone telematics-based flood cover for commercial properties – something which was put to use when its own building flooded.

Flood Flash is a rapid-payout flood insurance and Matthew Siddle from CRS Consultants explained: “We trialled the technology, which comprises of a sensor being fitted to the side of the building which, upon the triggering of a specified flood depth, sends a signal to insurers triggering an automatic pay out.

“The payment, as with the trigger depth, is of the clients’ choosing.

“During the floods of 2021 our trial proved successful and now several other businesses in Northwich are now protected by the scheme.

“By having the funds straight away, quick action by local traders can make businesses get back to trading quickly.”