ICAB arranges emergency accommodation for several families affected by sinkholes

For 27 years, ICAB has arranged emergency accommodation for thousands of households affected by floods, storms, fires, and subsidence. However, it is extremely rare to be contacted about sinkholes. 

In March, two large sinkholes appeared in the road on a residential street in Surrey, after a burst water main. Reports suggest, it likely eroded the bedrock above old mines that lay beneath the town.

One of the sinkholes measured over 65 feet across, raising serious concerns about structural damage to nearby properties. As a result, the 30 closest homes were evacuated for safety reasons.

ICAB was immediately contacted by an insurance company with urgent instructions to arrange temporary accommodation for many of the affected households.

This catastrophe has been reported on the national news as a ‘serious’ incident, and the potential for disruption was significant. However, ICAB is particularly adept at dealing with major incidents.  Our dedicated team immediately sprang into action working closely with each of the residents to make sure that they had a roof over their heads as soon as possible; initially searching for local hotel accommodation.

Some of the residents planned to stay with family members initially, but this was not ideal, as some did not live locally.  Commuting to and from work/school/nursery would have been difficult, albeit fine for a couple of days whilst the damage and safety aspect was assessed.

As with many major incidents, the first few days or even weeks, there is limited information about how long the issue may last whilst the damage is being assessed. In this case, 24 hours, the emergency services suggested that the residents could potentially be out of their homes for up to a year.  In light of this, hotel accommodation was not a practical long-term solution, and alternative arrangements were urgently required.

ICAB immediately searched through its extensive database to source suitable longer term options, including Airbnb properties or serviced apartments. Both of these options provide a more comfortable home from home environment and are more suitable than hotel accommodation for longer term stays.

As the majority of households were families, some with young babies, with a large percentage owning pets, these options were ideal. Our team undertook complex logistical planning to ensure that all residents were safely rehoused while also prioritising proximity to schools and nurseries, minimising disruption to children’s education.

The trauma of such an unpredictable event understandably left all of the residents extremely anxious for what the future might hold for their homes. While no one wants to leave their home in such circumstances, ICAB was proud to provide vital support, alleviating some of the stress and ensuring a smooth transition to safe, comfortable accommodation.