Looe people join forces in big clean-up
RESIDENTS and businesses in Looe have pulled together to help clean up the town after last week's floods.
High tides, low pressure and gale-force winds caused water to sweep along the quayside and into the town, flooding several pubs and restaurants on Tuesday and Wednesday last week.
Fay Hancock, restaurant manager at Trawlers on the Quay, said: "There was a really good community spirit and everyone helped each other to clean up the mess."
The floods damaged around 20 businesses and forced some to close temporarily. Mrs Hancock said: "Water came into the middle of the restaurant and we had to close for two nights. I'm just glad that no one got hurt."
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On Wednesday morning visitors flocked to the town to witness the aftermath.
Nicola Heathcote, who manages a local estate agents in the town, said: "Lots of people came down to see the floods. They were having a lovely time splashing around in the water."
However, one local resident said this made things worse and as people walked and drove through the floods, the water spread further and caused more damage.
Floods frequently occur in the town but locals said last week's were the worst since October 2004.
Jewel Thalukder, manager of the Moonlight Tandoori Restaurant, said: "We have been here for 21 years and we have kind of got used to it but this one was a bit worse than the previous years."
Businesses were warned about the high risk of flooding by an automated telephone message.
Paul Gainey, from the Environment Agency, said: "... these warnings may have saved business owners from being dealt a far more financially damaging hand."
Miss Heathcote praised the system saying: "These messages are brilliant."
Martin Powell, restaurant manager of Lascardes, said: "They did give us a warning and luckily we got most of the stuff off the floor.
"The water flowed straight through the restaurant and into the kitchen.
"We've had this before and no matter what you do if the water's going to come through it's going to come through."
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