Resilient businesses in Chester have been stressing they are open as usual after flash flooding.
Leaks and rising pools of water had threatened to damage property and stock after a deluge fell on the city for the second day in a row on Wednesday (June 15).
Shops in the streets and on the Rows were keen to tell customers they were available as normal.
They were also bracing themselves for further downpours with more poor weather forecast on Thursday.
Charity shops on Frodsham Street had seen water seep through the walls into their cellars and damage some stock. At one stage water was ‘over ankle deep’ on the road.
'Shocking, scary'
Claire House Hospice store manager Neil Thompson said: “It was shocking, scary really.
“The standing water came up to the front door, but the buses weren’t slowing down and when they drove through it was tidal waving it in.
“Most of our stock in the cellar is going to have to be thrown out. It was just dire.”
Mr Thompson said he was worried there was little they could do to stop water getting in to the cellar if another downpour comes.
He said: “I don’t know what we can do if it happens again today. I think the fire brigade will be dropping off sandbags at least to help at the front.”
A number of Eastgate Street stores including Disney, Vodafone had to delay opening on Thursday morning.
Wet floor signs were visible on many premises as a reminder of what had happened less than 24 hours earlier, but also a testament to the hard work of staff to get their shops open.
Staff at Oxfam on Bridge Street Row East had buckets out to deal with a leak through the roof.
'I've never seen so much water in my life'
Jack Wills Eastgate store manager Stephen Porter said: “It’s happened a few times in the last couple of months, but we are used to it and expect it because it’s an old building.
“We were in the middle of preparing for the first day of a sale last night so had to change plans. I’ve never seen so much water in my life.
“There’s not much we can do to prepare for it again today, we are just going to play it by ear.”
Mike Hoddinott, of Dixon's Drive, Chester, contacted The Chronicle to say the 28.8mm he had recorded was the highest amount of rainfall in 24 hours he had seen since he began taking the measurement in 1948.
Top Tips
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have shared their top tips for staying safe in flooding.
1. Think about flooding before it happens. Sign up for free flood warnings and create a personal flood plan.
2. Try to avoid contact with flood water. Do not drive through flood water and do not let children play in flood water.
3. Feeling distressed after a flood is normal. Support from family and friends is important during the recovery process.
4. Do not use petrol or diesel generators indoors to dry out your home. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which can kill.
5. When cleaning up after a flood, wear rubber gloves, boots and eye protection, and wash hands afterwards.
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