Obviously I've advised them to go back to their solicitors, but we were just wondering if anything could be done for them.
We live near a stream/river which is usually small, but takes water from the hills and can rise rapidly. Our own house is up a slope on the other side of the road. But the road itself, and a house that's across from us and down a bit, are lower. There really should never have been a house built on that piece of ground. It's been there about 14 years now.
The flat bit of road in front of that house floods to 4-5 inches depth a few times every year in heavy rain, as the gullies can't drain it away fast enough when the river is high. This is awkward to drive through but we're used to it and it tends to drain away again as fast as it rose. The Road Service is going to put in more drainage, although obviously the effect will be limited if the river is too high to drain into!
More seriously but only occasionally - once every 10 years or so - the river itself bursts its banks and rages dramatically down the road. I was always worried about what would happen to the house opposite when the river burst, and this did in fact happen 2 summers ago. All the stones on their gravel drive/yard were swept into heaps, their garage flooded, bark chippings everywhere, outbuildings damaged. They managed to protect their house with sandbags but it was nearly in there as well. Shortly after this incident, their house went on the market. We didn't know/like these people very well so didn't know the details. It took the house a year or so to sell (not unusually long in this area) and about a month ago they left and new neighbours moved in. We went over to say hello and found out it was an elderly couple.
Yesterday (they're only here a few weeks) there was one of the "normal" small road floods due to rapid snowmelt. I looked out the window and the old man was paddling about in it looking distressed and very unsteady on his feet. (It turns out he broke his hip 6 months ago and isn't fully recovered yet.) I went out to him and he was most upset, said he knew nothing of this, that they'd asked about the river when they were buying the house and been assured it was fine He was terrified that the road flood meant the river was about to come up. I was able to tell him that it (probably) didn't, but he was still distressed to hear that sometimes it did!
They'd called the flood line and a guy came out and was very surprised that they knew nothing. Apparently they were told that the "house has never flooded" which strictly speaking is true. I'm worried about them now because they are so elderly (mid-80s). That was just an ordinary road flood but if the river comes up there is no way that I will be able to help them. I went down and tried to cross over to the previous neighbours when the river came up 2 years ago but was nearly knocked off my feet. I feel so sorry for them as - even with the road flood - he was saying that now he was always going to be anxious.
If they go back to their solicitor, will they be able to get help? My mother is that age and I'd be horrified if she was in a place like that. Apparently their children live in Australia. This probably isn't my business but I'm very worried now.