Brigid O’Hara’s Monmouth home was hit hard by Storm Claudia, facing an unprecedented flood that brought chaos and damage. Living at Monnow Mill for 18 years, Brigid is no stranger to flooding, but this was something else. Hearing the water roar like the sea as it surged through her letterbox and forced open her doors, she describes a night of worry and chaos.
Brigid was prepared as best as she could be, with charged torches and some furniture already moved upstairs. But as water poured in, she could only watch helplessly as her whole kitchen was ruined and furniture was damaged beyond repair. Alone with her dog while her husband was away, Brigid found herself navigating the rapidly rising waters and worrying about the crashing trees hitting her home.
Despite the mess and the threat of even worse, Brigid chose to stay. She mentioned that the beauty of the location makes it worth the risk. And with the help of exemplary council staff who battled through the stubborn crowds who stopped to gawk, the clean-up began. However, she raised concerns about how new constructions might be contributing to increased flooding risks.
Fire crews arrived, offering a way out by dinghy, but Brigid decided to stick it out upstairs, thankful for her insurance while facing the aftermath. The flood saturated parts of Monmouth but left O’Hara with a resolve to stay, embracing both the beauty and the beast of her waterside home.