Lancashire family 'lost everything' in sudden heavy rainstorm

Danny Endicott said he cannot return to his home in Kirkham

A family have told how they were left homeless by this week's thundery deluge of heavy rainstorms.

Danny Endicott, 35, said he had to escape with his partner Gemma, 32, and their young son when water started pouring into their home in Kirkham, Lancashire, on Monday.

"We've gone from having a normal life to being homeless and losing it all in front of our eyes in minutes," he said.

"We've lost everything. Everything is ruined."

Mr Endicott said he and his partner were upstairs bathing their one-year-old son when the rain started to come down.

"At first we were quite happy as we'd been hoping for rain to clear the air after the hot weather," he said.

Mr Endicott said water was waist height at its peak

"But when we came downstairs we noticed water trickling through the front door. And then it started coming through the letterbox at a rapid rate and through the back as well.

"Within 20 minutes the entire downstairs was flooded, it was waist high at its peak and the sofa was floating about. It was just unreal."

The couple, who have lived in the rented home in Kirkham for three years, said they do not have insurance as a previous flood at the property meant it was "impossible" to find a deal.

Water levels only subsided after emergency services unblocked the drains, Mr Endicott said

"We didn't know when we moved in that there had been a flood just beforehand," he said.

"When I found out from the neighbours I tried to get contents insurance but nobody would touch us."

The family have been able to arrange six days in emergency accommodation, arranged with help from the town's mayor Chris Hopkinson, but said they have no idea where they will live after that.

Mr Hopkinson said a nearby gulley had not been cleaned and the resulting flooding, which has happened various times in recent years, had been "absolutely horrendous" for people in the town.

Residents and local business want storm drains cleaned more often

"The impact on people's health, well being and mental health is devastating," he said.

"It's no good for businesses and families who have their lives and livelihoods ruined. We need a permanent solution."

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said the authority was aware of flooding issues in Kirkham and other parts of the Fylde coast and was working with local residents and Kirkham Town Council to investigate.

Neil Davies, who runs Odditorium Tattoo Studio on Poulton Street, said businesses will struggle to survive unless problems with flooding are fixed.

"I work from this building six days a week, I never see a road cleaner," he said.

"They want high streets to survive you have to look after your community."

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]