An elderly couple, who live in a flat block for vulnerable people, have been “left with nothing” after their bottom-floor accommodation was flooded by heavy rain.
John and Susan Bell have lived in Maclehouse Court in Greenock for over three years, however, they have been forced to leave their home alongside fellow residents due to significant flooding.
Their eldest daughter Kelly told STV News this is not the first time the block has been hit with water ingress in recent times, with flooding at the building also reported to Blackwood, the housing association, on December 5.
The housing association has confirmed that it is “actively responding” to significant flooding caused by extreme weather, with staff and fire crews stationed at the site overnight.
Blackwood stated that a “majority of the directly affected tenants have been safely decanted to alternative accommodation.”
A total of 50,000 litres of water must be pumped from the site before camera surveys can be carried out to inspect the drainage system, according to the housing association.
Kelly says that her mum and dad, who are currently in hospital due to their declining health, have essentially been left ‘homeless’ as they wait to be rehomed to somewhere appropriate.
According to the couple’s eldest daughter, the flooding is having a huge effect on the family.
She explained: “They’ve been left with nothing.
“The only thing I managed to get for them was a picture they asked for. At the moment the flooding is the worst it has ever been.
“The road has been closed off. The elevator has been shut off due to the flooding. They are now trying to move everyone out now because it isn’t safe.
“My mum and dad have been left without any belongings. They have been left pretty much homeless.”
Blackwood has told STV News that immediate assistance is being provided to residents affected by the flooding and tat their priority is still the “safety and wellbeing of tenants”.
The housing association said: “Blackwood is actively working with Inverclyde Council and other partners to coordinate the redirection of water so that access can be gained to the affected area.
“This includes planning for temporary road closures and traffic management measures, such as temporary traffic lights, to allow this work to be carried out safely.
“This is a complex and substantial operation, and progress remains heavily dependent on weather conditions.”
A yellow weather warning for rain has been in place in the area since 12pm on Saturday and is due to remain in place until 11.59pm on Sunday.
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