Buckinghamshire, England, faced its wettest September in nearly two centuries last month, with relentless rains and flooding that overwhelmed rivers and swamped over 500 properties. According to the Met Office, a record-breaking 176mm of rainfall — 318% above the average for September — fell across the county, leading to catastrophic flooding on September 22. The event has left businesses and residents struggling to recover amid growing concerns over the impact of climate change on future weather patterns.

Among those affected was Awake Organics, a natural skincare and haircare business near Olney. Director Melissa Kimbell said her team has been dealing with “a crisis” after floodwaters inundated their facility, which is located on a family-run farm. Late that Sunday evening, Kimbell’s husband, James, received a call about a foot of water flowing through their office “like a river.” En route to the farm, he was forced to turn back when he encountered flooded roads and abandoned vehicles. “It looked quite apocalyptic,” he recalled. By morning, the team discovered extensive water damage, with mud coating the floors and supplies.

Kimbell, who was in Canada at the time, said her heart sank as photos of the damage began coming through. “When something like this happens, it’s deeply upsetting. So much of what we’ve created here was soaked and covered in thick mud in a matter of hours,” she shared in a message to customers.

While the company’s “nothing on the floor” policy spared most of its stock, the aftermath has required extensive cleanup, including ripping out floors, salvaging furniture, and drying files. Due to a backlog of claims from the flooding, the property’s insurance provider has only conducted one inspection, leaving the team to handle much of the restoration on their own.

The economic impact on small businesses like Awake Organics is significant. The weeks leading up to the holiday season are typically a crucial time for sales, which fund future growth. However, due to the flood damage, the business is currently confined to a small section of its facility, delaying new product launches. Nevertheless, Kimbell remains grateful for her supportive customer base, which she says has helped boost morale during this challenging time. “My hope is that when you open your order, you’d never know we are really rolling up our sleeves over here,” she added.

This year’s extreme weather, including historic rainfall in the East of England and record-breaking flooding, underscores the threat of climate change, according to the UK Environment Agency. A spokesperson explained, “Our climate is changing, sea levels are rising, and we are experiencing more extreme weather. Recent climate predictions confirm we will see wetter winters and drier summers, with an increased likelihood of more intense rainfall leading to flooding.”

Reflecting on the devastation, Kimbell, who previously experienced severe hail damage to her home in Canada, said, “It definitely gives me pause to think about what’s in the future in an area like this. I wouldn’t want to go through this again.”