10 years after the Easter floods
The devastating floods which killed two people, hospitalised more than 150 and ruined 2,000 homes and businesses will be remembered across Northampton today, 10 years since the town was deluged.
The River Nene burst its banks in the early hours of Good Friday, 1998, closing streets, schools and businesses and took months to clear up. It cost more than 75m to repair the damage, which affected more than 10,000 people, largely in St James and Far Cotton.
Today a wreath will be laid in Becket's Park to commemorate the anniversary, with Northampton Sea Cadets rowing a wreath up from the locks to Southbridge.
Councillor Brendan Glynane, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for community engagement (Lib Dem, Delapre) said it was astonishing to think the disaster was 10 years ago.
Don't miss your special pull-out supplement in the Chronicle & Echo on Thursday, looking back on the floods of 10 years ago
The borough councillor, who became a prominent flood campaigner in the aftermath of the disaster, said: "I still remember it like it was only yesterday. I remember being woken at about 5.30am by my neighbour hammering on my door shouting he was flooding. I ran downstairs and opened the front door and was amazed to see a river running down the street.
"We desperately tried to keep the water out using rolled up towels but within 15 minutes it was pouring into the house."
The flag at the Guildhall will be flown at half mast as a sign of respect to those who lost their lives or were affected.
More on the Easter Floods of 1998 - click here
Borough Councillor Tony Clarke, (Castle Ind) who was MP for Northampton South at the time, said: "The town was let down badly. We weren't prepared, our flood defences were in a terrible state and I am talking about negligence.
"For all the wrong reasons it was a fantastic way of building community spirit. I think those communities are now better organised and more vocal, and I think the authorities had to sit up and listen.
"A lot of the people I see now that are engaged in community projects are the same people who came forward to help their neighbours 10 years ago."
Sally Keeble, Northampton North MP (Lab) paid tribute to the people to helped to clear up and cope with the disaster. She said: "Many people came to the rescue of friends and neighbours, took in family members, and ran the emergency services and centres. Their contribution made it possible for the town to recover quickly, although for many victims the scars will never heal.
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Weather for Northampton
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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