A "completely heartbroken" Isle of Wight couple who have "lost it all" in catastrophic flooding, which nearly submerged their entire property, say they're "walking away" from their home of almost three decades and will never again return.
Joanne Wright, who lives next to the brook in Binstead, with husband Mark, told the County Press they have had "no help whatsoever" after the devastation two weeks ago.
And it is not the first time, either. They say "nothing was put in place to protect them" after the last floods, in 2021.
On that occasion, the couple, who own Westridge Golf Centre in Ryde, were rendered homeless. They only moved back in a year ago.
This time though, they say they won't be returning.
The Isle of Wight Council has said it is aware of "flooding issues" at the property and is working with the Environment Agency (EA) on mitigation works in the village.
On Wednesday, two weeks ago, water outside the couple's property, off Binstead Road, was up to their upstairs bedroom window.
Joanne said "it's scary" to think what could have happened had the sound of heavy rain not woken them.
After getting out of the house, all they could do was stand and watch their home disappear under the rising water.
"We've lost it all", she said.
"All the ceilings have come down and the floor has come up. I didn't think I'd get to my retirement age and we'd be homeless."
Joanne said when they built the property, 27 years ago, the brook was just "a tiny trickle".
But she said, over the years, more houses have been built in the area and now, it is a "great big river", which carries debris.
After the last flooding in 2021, which saw them move 15 times in 12 months, she said she was in touch with the EA about putting measures in place but was told there was "no funding".
"They blame us for putting a grate in but if we hadn't then the debris would have blocked the culvert", she said.
"I said 'why don't you help and put some flood defence in instead of blaming us for trying to protect our home'?"
When contacted by the County Press, the EA said to speak to the Isle of Wight Council, which is the lead local flood authority.
Joanne said she thinks there needs to be a restructure of the whole system in Binstead.
She said: "The culvert under the road is not man enough. Our property wasn't designed to take everyone's flood water."
She said she "worked hard" to restore their home after floods in 2021, and now she can't bear to look at it.
"I'm completely heartbroken", she said.
"The effort that went into that house. It's got very sad memories now."
She said the couple have insurance but she doesn't know what will happen to the property. One thing for certain is they will not be living there.
A spokesperson for the council said: “The council is aware of the flooding issues that have sadly affected this property over the last couple of years, with significant consequences to the owner.
“The property lies next to the Binstead Stream, which is classified as a ‘Main River’. The council is aware that local EA representatives have attended site since the latest flood event and have assisted in clearing the site.
“Both the council and the EA will continue to work on flood mitigation works within Binstead to determine the best course of action moving forward.”
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