'We’ve Lost Everything': Urmston flood devastates home and salon of local woman
Video report by Anna Youssef
A woman says she has lost everything after flood waters ruined her home and business.
Nikki Campion's home and salon, Nikki & Co, were destroyed when severe flooding hit the Trafford area of Greater Manchester on New Year's Day.
The 56-year-old, from Urmston, says she is "devastated" and claims it could have been avoided.
"I've been on to the Environment agency for the last five years, they've been out and done nothing, been out and done nothing, been out and done nothing," she says.
Speaking from her water-damaged property, Nikki described the emotional toll of the disaster: “I am devastated, absolutely devastated.
"We have lost everything - beds, furniture, the lot. Everything is ruined. We’ll have to start all over again somehow."
Nikki, who lives with her husband Matt, 61, said their neighbourhood had received flood alerts before, but nothing like this.
"We got a text at 5.40am, we get them all the time saying flood alert," she added.
"Looked out at six o'clock, no water at all, by 7.50am you could hear it underneath the house but it was still lower than the steps and by 9.30am our house was just underwater and it carried on rising till 7.30 that night."
The grandmother of three said she feels abandoned by the Environment Agency, blaming years of inaction on problems she reported with the nearby Old Eea Brook.
“We’ve reported issues with the brook since we moved here five years ago. It’s full of silt and needs cleaning. [The Environment Agency] came out a few weeks ago but said there wasn’t much they could do because it was such a mess. They’ve done nothing about it," she said.
Nikki added that the brook’s condition was a disaster waiting to happen and accused the agency of failing to prevent the flooding.
The Campions are not alone, other homes in their community have also been severely affected, with one neighbour’s house still submerged.
Despite the devastation, Nikki said she and her husband received invaluable help from people in the local community who helped clear the water and begin cleaning up. However, the aftermath remains overwhelming, with a “devastating mess” left behind.
"We've had about 80 people here in the last two days, I mean, we've moved mountains. Nobody would know we'd had a flood.
"We're just going to have to build it back, It's material things, my family are safe."
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency expressed sympathy for those affected and highlighted ongoing efforts to manage flood risks nationwide.
“Environment Agency teams have been working around the clock over the New Year, operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding, issuing flood warnings, and supporting communities, including in Greater Manchester,” the statement said.
The agency also pointed to a long-term investment program, with over £1.25 billion being spent this year to build new and improve existing flood defences.