Storm Babet Tragedy: Lack of Flood Defences Blamed for Chesterfield Woman's Death
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- Maureen Gilbert, 83, drowned in her Chesterfield home during Storm Babet due to a lack of formal flood defences.
- The River Rother overflowed, affecting about 400 homes in the Chesterfield area and leaving thousands without power across the UK.
- Environment Agency's Neil Longden cited funding and planning challenges as reasons for the absence of flood defences at Tapton Terrace.
- A storage reservoir was installed in 2018 to mitigate flooding, but it was the only significant measure since 2007.
- Derbyshire police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following the incident.
The tragic death of 83-year-old Maureen Gilbert during Storm Babet has highlighted the critical issue of inadequate flood defences in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. An inquest at Chesterfield Coroner's Court revealed that Gilbert's home on Tapton Terrace lacked formal flood protection, a factor that contributed to her drowning when the River Rother burst its banks on October 21, 2023.
Inquest Reveals Funding and Planning Hurdles
Neil Longden, operations manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, testified that Tapton Terrace is particularly vulnerable to flooding due to its low-lying position and convergence of multiple water sources. Despite this known risk, no flood defences were in place. Longden explained, "The answer really is you can build something, but someone has to pay for it," pointing to financial and planning obstacles as significant barriers.
Community Impact and Previous Measures
Storm Babet, described by Longden as "one of the most significant storms" he had encountered, led to the evacuation of approximately 400 homes in Chesterfield and left thousands without power across the UK. In response to past flooding, a storage reservoir was installed downstream of the River Rother in 2018 to reduce peak water flow during heavy rainfall. However, this was the only major intervention since severe flooding in 2007.
Personal Loss and Community Resilience
Paul Gilbert, Maureen's son, shared his heartbreak, recounting how he found his mother "floating in the water" after emergency services were unable to enter the house due to safety concerns. He had attempted to protect the home with makeshift flood defences, a practice he had maintained since the 2007 floods. "She lived on the street all her life," he said, reflecting on the community's efforts to safeguard their homes.
Police Conduct Under Review
In the aftermath of the storm, Derbyshire police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The matter is being handled locally by the force, as the inquest continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The inquest into Maureen Gilbert's death underscores the urgent need for comprehensive flood risk management across the UK. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of storms like Babet, local authorities may face mounting pressure to secure funding and streamline planning processes for flood defences. Experts suggest that a national review of flood risk areas and infrastructure investment could be pivotal in preventing future tragedies. Additionally, the outcome of the police conduct review may influence emergency response protocols in flood-prone regions.
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Storm Babet Tragedy: Lack of Flood Defences Blamed for Chesterfield Woman's Death
In This Article
Leila Hassan| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- Maureen Gilbert, 83, drowned in her Chesterfield home during Storm Babet due to a lack of formal flood defences.
- The River Rother overflowed, affecting about 400 homes in the Chesterfield area and leaving thousands without power across the UK.
- Environment Agency's Neil Longden cited funding and planning challenges as reasons for the absence of flood defences at Tapton Terrace.
- A storage reservoir was installed in 2018 to mitigate flooding, but it was the only significant measure since 2007.
- Derbyshire police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following the incident.
The tragic death of 83-year-old Maureen Gilbert during Storm Babet has highlighted the critical issue of inadequate flood defences in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. An inquest at Chesterfield Coroner's Court revealed that Gilbert's home on Tapton Terrace lacked formal flood protection, a factor that contributed to her drowning when the River Rother burst its banks on October 21, 2023.
Inquest Reveals Funding and Planning Hurdles
Neil Longden, operations manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, testified that Tapton Terrace is particularly vulnerable to flooding due to its low-lying position and convergence of multiple water sources. Despite this known risk, no flood defences were in place. Longden explained, "The answer really is you can build something, but someone has to pay for it," pointing to financial and planning obstacles as significant barriers.
Community Impact and Previous Measures
Storm Babet, described by Longden as "one of the most significant storms" he had encountered, led to the evacuation of approximately 400 homes in Chesterfield and left thousands without power across the UK. In response to past flooding, a storage reservoir was installed downstream of the River Rother in 2018 to reduce peak water flow during heavy rainfall. However, this was the only major intervention since severe flooding in 2007.
Personal Loss and Community Resilience
Paul Gilbert, Maureen's son, shared his heartbreak, recounting how he found his mother "floating in the water" after emergency services were unable to enter the house due to safety concerns. He had attempted to protect the home with makeshift flood defences, a practice he had maintained since the 2007 floods. "She lived on the street all her life," he said, reflecting on the community's efforts to safeguard their homes.
Police Conduct Under Review
In the aftermath of the storm, Derbyshire police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The matter is being handled locally by the force, as the inquest continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The inquest into Maureen Gilbert's death underscores the urgent need for comprehensive flood risk management across the UK. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of storms like Babet, local authorities may face mounting pressure to secure funding and streamline planning processes for flood defences. Experts suggest that a national review of flood risk areas and infrastructure investment could be pivotal in preventing future tragedies. Additionally, the outcome of the police conduct review may influence emergency response protocols in flood-prone regions.
Images from the Web
Related Articles
New Swimming Sites Proposed to Boost Water Quality Across England
Flood Risk and Housing Development: A Growing Concern in England
Massive Illegal Waste Dumps in Merseyside and Wigan Spark Environmental Concerns
Storm Chandra Causes Widespread Flooding Across Southwest England
UK Faces Persistent Flooding Amid Record Wet Winter
Rising Waters in Somerset Prompt Major Incident Declaration Amidst Climate Concerns