The floods have receded in Maidstone but the flood threat remains. Over the Christmas period Maidstone was hit hard by Mother Nature. Up and down the Medway homes and businesses were wrecked. The harsh rush of water is a devastating force and Christmas Day was a particularly worrying time for those on the waterline. The centre of Maidstone was closed for the afternoon with the only way in or out of Maidstone via the A20 or M20. Those living in East Farleigh, Teston, Yalding and all the other smaller villages along the water front experienced the full force of the rising water.
The fact that the floods covered Lock Meadow and flooded the lower level of Fremlin Walk car park shows how high the waters rose in the centre of town – so no wonder those in lower lying land stood no chance. The photographs below show how the Medway claimed back the land – truly forbidding and unrelenting. These opportune professional photographs were taken by Tom Phillips – our featured photographer who has his own exhibition of his work at Below 65 Gallery from 1st – 28th February.