A major flood engulfed the city after a DIY repair went wrong
What started as a minor household repair quickly spiralled into a full-scale catastrophe yesterday, as a Colchester man’s attempt to fix a leaky tap led to widespread flooding, road closures, and a city-wide state of emergency.
Will Drown, 46, of Haven Road, believed he could handle a simple plumbing repair in his upstairs bathroom, but within hours, his home had become the epicentre of an unprecedented disaster.
"I thought it was just a small drip," Mr Drown admitted. "Next thing I knew, the bathroom was under six inches of water, and then — well, things escalated quickly."
And escalate they did. As water poured from the upstairs pipes, it swiftly overwhelmed Drown’s drainage system, burst through the front door, and surged down the street with alarming speed.
Neighbours were soon seen wading through knee-deep water, clutching household pets and sentimental belongings as the flood spread through residential areas.
Emergency services were called to the scene but struggled to contain the damage as the torrent of water engulfed local businesses, forced the evacuation of Colchester city centre, and caused power outages across hundreds of postcodes.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as unsuspecting pedestrians were swept off their feet, cars were left stranded in rising waters, and one man was seen paddling past Castle Park in an inflatable dinghy.
“It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” one eyewitness said. “One minute, it was a normal day in Colchester. The next, we had waves lapping at the entrance to the Culver Street Greggs."
Authorities worked through the night to restore order, deploying emergency pumps and sandbag barriers across the city, in an effort to redirect the water.
Meanwhile, Drown himself was placed under what his wife called "house arrest," with strict orders not to touch another tool ever again.
"We always knew Will was stubborn," she said. "We just didn’t think he’d single-handedly flood an entire city."
By morning, the waters had begun to recede, leaving behind an eerie landscape of abandoned cars, displaced shopping trolleys, and one goldfish miraculously found swimming in the remains of what used to be a bus stop.
Officials have estimated that repairs could take months, with damage costs expected to run into the trillions.
Colchester City Council has already announced plans for stricter DIY regulations and, as a precautionary measure, is offering free plumbing courses to all residents.
As for Drown, he has formally apologised to the people of Colchester but maintains that his intentions were good. "In hindsight, maybe I should have called a professional," he admitted. "But on the bright side, my tap isn’t leaking anymore."
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