Northwich suffers flood havoc (From Northwich Guardian)

Torrential rain floods Northwich post office

11:42am Wednesday 8th August 2012 in News

TORRENTIAL rain over Cheshire caused havoc on Sunday night – flooding a post office and an adjoining property.

A spokesman from Cheshire West and Chester Council said the rain also meant Lake Lane and Reed Lane in Antrobus had to close.

Staff at Antrobus Community Post Office and Shop, on Knutsford Road, were left facing a major clean-up operation after drains failed to cope with the heavy downpours.

The not-for-profit business was hit by four inches of floodwater, which ruined some stock and left the building with no electricity.

Voluntary worker Kath Hankey said: “We got a call at 4.45pm on Sunday saying ‘you better come down to the shop’. “We weren’t allowed in until the fire brigade said it was safe and then they said use brushes to push the water out.”

Concerned villagers also got involved in the effort to prevent further damage to the business, which was established in 2003 after the post office was threatened with closure. Postmistress Maggie Pinfold said: “It could definitely have been worse.”

Postal worker Peter Greasley, from Barnton, said: “It was quite a mess.”

Neighbour Janet Featonby described the flood as ‘spectacular’ and explained that residents used drainage equipment and pumps to help clear the water.

She said: “There must have been 30 or 40 people helping out. That’s what it’s like around here, this village is wonderful.

“People just leapt into action.” The clean-up operation continued until 10pm and resumed at 8am on Monday. After a concerted effort from staff, the shop was able to reopen.