Jersey flooding: Fifty families forced to leave homes

Emergency services and official agencies are working together to tackle the flooding and its aftermath

About 50 families have had to leave flooded homes in Jersey.

A major incident has been declared by the Government of Jersey after flooding across the island.

Jersey Water is pumping water from the Grands Vaux reservoir, which caused flooding when it overtopped, into Queens Valley.

The chief minister said those moved were taken to St Saviour's Parish Hall and later given temporary accommodation in hotels and guest houses.

Water has receded around Grands Vaux School

People have left their homes in Pillar Gardens in St Saviour and Grands Vaux School was closed to students.

The government said the school would reopen on Thursday following an inspection, which confirmed the building was undamaged.

It said damage had been caused to outdoor areas, which would remain closed while the school assessed how to make them safe for students.

All roads previously closed have reopened, and bus schedules have returned to normal.

It asked motorists to drive "with caution" as debris was still on the roads.

A Tactical Coordination Group including the police, fire and ambulance services, Andium Homes, Jersey Water and Jersey Electricity has been set up.

Public Health Advice

Director of Public Health Prof Peter Bradley said islanders worried about the flash flooding should avoid walking or driving through it, keep children, vulnerable people away from it and wash their hands if they touch flood water.

"My advice is that, should any flash floods occur again over the coming days, islanders should always assume the water is contaminated with sewage or other pollutants and may conceal hidden hazards such as a missing manhole cover," he said.

Prof Bradley said the potential overspill of human waste contained "harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses", and direct contact could result in illness.

He recommended islanders that relied on private water supplies should "consider the effectiveness of their treatment system", and if worried, they should use bottled water.

Islanders have also been asked to not swim in the sea until Saturday due to overspill being directed there.

"The overspill being directed into the sea is very diluted, once it reaches the sea it is diluted further and benefits from the tidal ranges," Prof Bradley said.

Teams continue to clean up the aftermath of the flooding

A government spokesperson said: "Pumping stations around the island are recovering and evidence of spillages will start to fall. The sewage treatment works can only accept a limited flow at the moment."

Chief Minister Kristina Moore said: "The immediate priority has been to protect the lives and safety of those at highest risk from the impacts of the flooding and making sure they have shelter and accommodation."

She added "we will be putting in a form of immediate financial support comparable with that incident and further details will be announced".

Andium Homes said a total of 58 households had been moved from Grands Vaux on Tuesday, and staff were in the area "supporting the emergency services and residents" until 23:00 GMT.

It said the "majority of residents" would be able to return home on Wednesday, with some having remained at their homes on Tuesday night.

The paths at the Botanic Gardens at Samares Manor were affected by the standing water

Resident Steven Ozouf said his flooring and other items were "ruined" following the flooding.

"The doors, bedrooms, carpets are completely trashed, we're doing the best we can at the moment. I am absolutely emotionally wrecked.

"Downstairs is a total write-off, so we've got to see about getting new carpets fitted... I'm just bearing with it at the moment and trying to push on through," he said.

Diana Casegas was meant to leave for university on Tuesday, but stayed home to help her parents with the flooding.

She said her mother had called emergency services before water had reached their home, but by the time teams had arrived it was too late.

"By the time the fire department got there, it was already at knee height and then when my parents went back to try to keep some things it had come up to just about waist height, which is a really scary experience," she said.

"It is probably the most devastating thing that's happened to our family, living in a place like Jersey you don't really expect something like this to happen to you, especially just wake up one day and your house is inundated.

"It was completely shocking, quite terrifying, especially when we don't really know when it'll be sorted," she said.

Sandbags were used by residents to stop the flooding

The grounds of Samares Manor have also been badly affected, with several large trees down and some of the gardens left flooded.

Staff said it would be some time before they could assess the damage.

Managing director Caryl Kemp said: "We just come in, put our wellies on, walk around and check the whole site, and open manhole covers as best we can.

"The problem is we've got water coming up through manhole covers at the moment."

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