Understand
Ewyas Harold villagers fear another wet winter after flooding four times in six years
Overview
Residents and business owners in the Herefordshire village of Ewyas Harold are expressing anxiety over the approaching autumn and winter following predictions of wetter-than-average conditions. The village has experienced flooding four times in the past six years, most notably when Dulas Brook reached a record-breaking 2.9 metres during Storm Claudia in November 2025. Locals are hoping to benefit from government flood protection investments while local builders report a surge in demand for property flood defences.
Key points
- Villagers in Ewyas Harold have suffered flooding four times in the past six years, leading to widespread anxiety ahead of the wetter-than-average winter forecast by the Met Office.
- During Storm Claudia in November 2025, Dulas Brook reached a record height of 2.9 metres, causing severe damage to homes and local businesses.
- Resident Kate Reed had to live in an Airbnb for three months after a foot of water flooded her property, destroying her kitchen and requiring the installation of a temporary earth bund.
- Village store and post office owner Bennie Krige reported significant financial impacts after water surpassed existing 800mm defences, noting the business would likely have closed if it were not supported by other unaffected ventures.
- Local father-and-son builders Dave and Rory Pitt have experienced a sharp rise in demand for flood barriers and property defences across the village over the past year.
- The government has pledged £10.5bn towards protecting homes and infrastructure from flooding up to 2036 following the creation of a new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce.