Even here in the UK, images of flash floods, giant puddles and people bailing out their houses have become regulars on our TV and computer screens. Happily, most of us can sit back complacently in the knowledge that it’s only other people who are affected, but what if it really does happen to you – and it’s New Year’s Eve?
On the afternoon of 31 December, our manager Margie was cooking a New Year’s Eve dinner for her family when she received a call from the home saying that a leaky boiler had flooded the basement. While an engineer battled his way through traffic all the way from Essex, mufti-clad Margie left her pots and pans and jumped into an Uber to join staff and Head of Facilities Ian Jenner at the home.
The basement was indeed filling up fast, but quick-thinking Margie grabbed some bins and started bailing out, achieving superhuman strength that only adversity brings, to lift and empty the heavy, water-laden buckets. While Margie and her helpers battled downstairs, residents were enjoying their afternoon activities and supper, completely unaware of the water-related drama occurring below. Once the engineer finally arrived, he replaced a valve, and, hey presto, all was fine again.
Margie and Ian stayed until the water was completely gone, both missing their family dinners. And by the time Margie got home her shoes and socks were utterly waterlogged!
“It could have been a big disaster, especially on New Year’s Eve, but we managed to sort it out, thanks to everyone’s support and quick actions. I have a good team here at Hampton who are always willing to pitch in and help,” she says.
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