A COUPLE from Kinmel Bay helped relocate families holidaying in the village who had to be evacuated from their caravans due to flooding on Tuesday (April 9).
Tom Quayle and his partner, Emma, run North Wales Holiday Rentals Ltd, which offers a luxury lodge and caravan rental and management service in the area.
The Sandy Cove region of Kinmel Bay was hit particularly hard by Storm Pierrick yesterday, with numerous families staying at the Golden Sands park having been told they had to leave.
But rather than have them cut short their holidays, Tom and Emma helped them move into eight caravans that they look after at the nearby Lyons Winkups Holiday Park in Towyn.
Tom said: “We filled eight caravans, with seven or eight people in each one, so there was quite a significant number of people who didn’t have to cut short their holidays and go home.
“One lady was a hairdresser, who told Emma that she could have a free haircut any time she likes!
“Everyone was very appreciative; we checked in the last family at about 8pm, and they had only been told about 30 minutes earlier that they had to leave their caravan and pack their things up.
“They seemed really upset, but then overjoyed that we had given them somewhere else to stay.
“I know one of the kids was really keen to watch the Manchester City match last night, so he was delighted that he had somewhere with a television and WiFi!
“It’s typical of Emma, really; all she wants to do is help people. Yesterday, she only wanted to help those families who were crying out for help, and I followed her lead.”
Members of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were also called to help residents living in Kinmel Bay evacuate their properties yesterday.
Alisha Seddon, a resident with two young children, said that it made for a “scary” afternoon.
Mike Owen, head of response for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said yesterday: “Thanks to our staff and our partners for their work today.
“Plans are in place to prepare our water assets in case of similar conditions tomorrow.
“We’d appeal to members of the public to work with us by staying away from fast flowing watercourses and not driving through flooded roads.”
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