A wheelchair-bound artist in Swansea had to be rescued from his studio during a flash flood that caused extensive damage amounting to thousands of pounds. Pete Rumble, who lives near Blackpill, Swansea, estimated that around 45 cm of water flooded his home on Friday, September 6. The flooding happened rapidly, submerging his adapted home studio within just 30 minutes. Firefighters had to rescue Pete by boat, along with his sister Suzy and their dog Rufus who were also in the studio at the time.
Pete recounted the moment the flood began, as his sister noticed the water seeping in underneath the door. As the water level rose rapidly, reaching knee height, Pete’s concerns grew, especially as the garden had already been flooded up to a foot. Fire crews arrived promptly, with one of the firefighters turning out to be someone Pete knew from his school days, making the rescue somewhat surreal.
Being quadriplegic, Pete shared his challenging journey, having lost the use of his legs due to a spinal tumour at the age of 18. Despite these challenges, he found solace in painting, which he started a few years after becoming quadriplegic. His studio, where he painted landscapes of the Swansea area, suffered severe damage along with valuable personal belongings.
The flood damage to Pete’s studio and possessions is estimated to exceed £10,000, including his wheelchairs and valuable paintings. Community support has been vital during this challenging time, with friends and strangers coming together to help clear out the damaged studio. His father’s recent passing added to the emotional strain, but Pete remains grateful for the outpouring of support.
A crowdfunding page has been set up by a fellow artist to assist with repairing Pete’s studio. Despite the setbacks, Pete appreciates the community’s unity in times of crisis, highlighting the positive side of adversity. The resilience and support shown by friends and family have helped Pete through this difficult period, reinforcing the importance of community spirit in challenging times.