PR258

For Immediate Release

25 September 2006

A Great Yarmouth couple and their two-year-old daughter sought refuge in the Town Hall when their car became a victim of the flooding.

Jade Barnard was driving home to Tollhouse Street, Great Yarmouth, from a nightshift working as a carer in Hopton, when her car stopped in deep water on South Quay at approx 10am.

She called husband Nigel who was getting their daughter Jade dressed and said the car had stopped and water was beginning to come in.

Nigel waded through the water with Jade to try and help his wife, but realised there was nothing to be done. An employee at the Town Hall saw their plight and waved at them to come in.

“When we got here someone gave us a cigarette and very welcoming hot coffee,” said Nigel.

“We were told by a breakdown recovery team that it would be at least an hour before anyone could come and see about moving the car, as they weren’t sure they would be able to get here as the weather was so bad.

Jade only passed her test in July and the N registered Rover is her first car.

The flooding came during torrential rain on Monday morning, and was believed that the drains just couldn’t cope with the volume of water. Some cars heading towards Haven Bridge took to the pavement as a way of avoiding the deepest of the water.

Picture captions:
Jade Barnard’s car in the flood

Issued by:
Liz Dann
Press Officer
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
01493 846513