TODAY marks the 10th anniversary of the devastating 2007 July floods.
On Friday, July 20 2007 a major emergency was declared in the Vale due to the severe floods which were the worst on record.
More than 1,500 homes and 250 businesses were flooded and 65 people in Sedgeberrow even had to be airlifted from their homes.
To mark the anniversary, the Observer has taken a look back at the devastation the flooding caused by sharing your stories and photos of a day no one living in Evesham and Pershore will ever forget.
Your stories:
Lauretta Smith said: “I lived on Albert Road and we couldn’t see the rugby club at all.
“The water came right up to the old state nurseries greenhouses. We opened the back door to see a rescue helicopter hovering over our garden, checking we were all ok. Very frightening.”
Maureen Pratt said: “We have been flooded out of our house in Sedgeberrow four times in 50 years.
“In 2007 it was over 6ft deep through the house and part of the house moved with the current and had to be rebuilt.
“We were out of the house for two years and moved around in temporary accommodation some 40 times, living out of boxes and bags all this time.”We also get so much pleasure from the River Isbourne, so we prefer not to look back and to move on.”
Lynda Pearson said: “I remember it well. My mum was taken into Gloucester Hospital the day before. My husband took some things to her and left there at 3pm and arrived home at 3am the next day in someone else’s car as ours had to be abandoned in Bishops Cleeve.”
Lisa Currier Jones said: “My business was flooded on Port Street along with my parent business down Castle Street. The day the water went and everyone pulling together was a magical day. A true sense of community at such a sad time. All the help from other shop owners and the public made it that bit easier.”
Martin Woodhouse said: “I remember it well living in Sedgeberrow. I was on the rescue boats for four hours getting people out. Interesting few hours sat in the boat with the RAF helicopter winch man.”
Laura Fiander said: “I was living at Charity Crescent at the time and I worked at Currys Digital on the High Street.
“My boss rang me, who lived in Bromsgrove, and told me that he was relying on me going into work as no one else was able to get there due to floods in various areas and everyone lived far out.
“I walked to the crossroads by Abbey bridge only to be met with extremely deep water covering the whole crossroads. I rang my boss to tell him and he insisted I try my best to get to work.
“I didn’t drive so couldn’t attempt to drive round the bypass and enter town from Twyford side so I decided my only option was to swim through! So I trudged through the water which went as high as my chest and casually walked the rest of Abbey Road soaking wet.
“I arrived at work to be met by my colleague who had managed to make it in and we discovered that the shop floor was sodden so we couldn’t open anyway. One phone call to my manager and he decided that we should just lock up and go home! Much to my aggravation!
“Two weeks after the escapade I was awarded with a certificate for most dedicated colleague who ‘swam to work in the floods of 2007’ which I still have to this day. It became a running joke for the many years I spent at Currys.”
Please continue to share your stories and photos throughout the day. Contact us by emailing [email protected].
