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42
Storm Flooding.— Flooding of underground rooms due to the
surcharging of sewers has been reported from time to time over a
period of years following heavy rainfall.
In the Annual Report for the year 1930 reference was made
to three occurrences of flooding during that year.
On the evening of the 5th August, 1931, a storm of exceptional
violence and duration swept over London, with varying periods of
intensity, between the hours of 6 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. The total
rainfall registered was 1.41 inches, but for a period of ten
minutes a maximum rate of 3.6 inches per hour was recorded,which
is comparable only with the rate experienced in the torrential
downfalls of the tropics.
The practical assistance that can be afforded to occupiers of
flooded premises is limited, but the Borough Surveyor's and Public
Health Departments gave what help was practicable by visiting
affected houses and giving advice as to the best steps to be taken
to make the premises habitable. Disinfectant was supplied from
the Town Hall to residents who required it, and some 150 demands
were dealt with up to 10 p.m.
The following day disinfectant was distributed to occupiers
of flooded premises and a total of 350 cases were so supplied.
From records that have been made following previous storms
the number of premises affected amounted to a maximum of 450,
but during the storm of 5th August by house-to-house visitation
some 754 houses were found to have suffered as a result of the surcharging
of the sewers.
The houses most affected by flooding were situated in the
Milton—Shakespeare—Spenser—Cowper—Allen and Nevill Roads
area.
No flooding of any importance was reported from the Northern
half of the Borough.
The hardship caused to residents by these floodings has been
commented on in previous reports, as well as the danger to health
from contaminated water and resultant dampness.