“Please don’t make it worse”
Flood resilience and recovery campaigner Mary Long-Dhonau OBE – known as Flood Mary - is calling for a new ‘Community Code of Care’ to encourage compassion and responsible behaviour during flood events, following a winter of heart-breaking stories from flood-hit communities.
Mary, who has supported more than 3,000 flood-hit victims over the past three winters, says one of the most frequent complaints she hears isn’t just about being flooded, but the actions of others that made things worse.
“I’ve spoken to countless people who’ve told me that the water didn’t reach their home until someone drove through the floodwater and created a bow wave,” says Mary. “It’s heart-breaking. In some cases, it’s the difference between water lapping at your doorstep and water entering your home. I’ve even heard of tractors driving through flood waters to take people to the local pub. They may think they are helping people but tractors cause large bow waves.
“I’m not trying to police people but I am asking for kindness and common sense. If your actions create a wave, that wave may carry someone’s treasured possessions and memories with it. The lack of compassion I’ve heard of astounds me. It’s why I believe we need to remind people why it’s so important to take notice of road closure signs and not attempt to drive through floodwaters.
“Not only is it unsafe for the driver, but the impact on nearby homes can be devastating – a single bow wave can be the difference between a property staying dry or being flooded. The average person is out of their home for nine months while repairs take place. That’s nine months of disruption and upheaval, caused by something that could have been avoided.”
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The plea comes at a time when many communities are still dealing with the after affects of recent flooding. With the growing threat of climate-driven extreme weather, Mary believes education and empathy are just as important as physical flood resilience measures and adaptations to help better protect homes.
A call for compassion
Mary is urging the public to support the creation of a Community Code of Care, which would set out simple, thoughtful actions we can all take during floods, including:
- Avoid driving through flooded streets, especially where homes or businesses are nearby
- Respect road closures and diversions – they are there for your safety and to protect properties from further damage
- Check in on vulnerable neighbours, especially those living alone or with mobility needs
- Avoid creating unnecessary wake, whether on foot, bike or in vehicles
- Don’t share misinformation online – stick to verified flood warnings and updates
- Talk about flood preparedness – help others to prepare for flooding.
Free Flood Recovery Guide available
To help households recover and prepare, Mary is also reminding people to download her free Flood Recovery Guide, available on the home page of www.floodmary.com.
The guide explains what to do during the early stages of flooding, and considers immediate actions through to the longer road to recovery. It includes advice on insurance, Build Back Better, and practical tips on property adaptations that help reduce the impact in the future.
Concludes Mary: “Flooding is more than just dirty water in your home; it’s a deeply emotional and traumatic experience. Recovery can take months. But with the right support, advice and kindness from others, we can make all the difference.”
For more information and free resources visit www.floodmary.com
[Image credit: floodmary.com]