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Historic Flooding Devastates Businesses in Buckinghamshire Amid Record Rainfall
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.”
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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