Last updated at 12:44, Friday, 07 September 2012

A mini-tidal wave swept through the home of Cockermouth School headteacher Geoff Walker last week, destroying his garden.

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Mr Walker and his wife Karen were victims of the severe floods that caused havoc in parts of West Cumbria last Thursday.

It followed intense rainfall that lasted several hours.

Mr Walker, who lives at St Bees, said: “It was 1am and I heard a big thump so I went downstairs and everything seemed to be okay.

“I went back upstairs and then about two minutes later there was another massive thump that sounded like a bang.

“I dashed downstairs and there was water pouring through the back door of the house.

“We couldn’t do much about it but the water passed through the house and was gone but at the back of the house there was just absolute carnage.

“However, the dog didn’t seem to mind too much as he was in his basket floating around in the kitchen and seemed quite happy.

“The whole thing lasted no more than 10 minutes but you don’t have time to plan for it.

“When your house starts to shudder you know there is something not quite right.”

The water rushed through the garden and house after it had built up behind a 300-year-old sandstone wall.

The wall finally gave way, releasing the water to rush through the house and leaving a trail of stone in the garden.

Mr Walker said: “It was like a mini-tidal wave that came through our house.

“The water had all come down a country lane and the garden wall acted like a dam. The same thing happened to our next door neighbours.”

Mr Walker said his garden has been decimated.

He said: “There is no soil, grass, greenhouse, shed and wall left.

“Things like the patio paving stones and the shed were moved 50 or 60 metres down the village. The garden will have to be completely redone.”

It also destroyed carpets and some furniture.

Mr Walker said he was not sure whether they would be able to stay or have to move to temporary accommodation.

Several people on Mr Walker’s street were flooded and he said everyone helped each other out.

l A £50,000 fund to help people affected by flooding in Copeland has been launched.

Cumbria Community Foundation, based at Dovenby, is co-ordinating the fund and grants of up to £1,000 are available to help people with clean-up and recovery.

The founding donation of £50,000 came from the Copeland Community Fund.

Foundation director Andy Beeforth said, “It is so very sad that once again people’s lives are being turned upside down by flooding. We are hugely grateful for the support of the trustees of the Copeland Community Fund for their speed of response in making this donation to enable us to make grant awards.”

Application forms can be downloaded from the foundation’s website www.cumbriafoundation.org

First published at 11:49, Friday, 07 September 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk