CONCERN continues to mount in the local community about the lack of public comment by Thurrock Council on the future of the flooded Brisbane House tower block and what is happening to displaced residents.

Criticism has also been made about the council's lack of response in the initial hours after the flooding which led to 64 flats being evacuated and the functionality of the support process – with residents dispersed to hotels across a wide radius including as far as Southend and Chelmsford – and possibly even further.

It is reported that senior council officer, Adewale "Ade" Adesina - Lead Officer for Emergency Planning and Response at Thurrock Council - who arrived at the community centre being used as an emergency base of operations, found a side room for a Teams meeting and left a piece of paper and pen for volunteers who had rushed to offer help to collect the names and whereabouts of displaced flats residents.

Some declined to do that because they were concerned they might be held personally responsible for any errors or mistakes. One, who declined to help, told Nub News - "that is an official council job so they get the right information and quickly, it was just left to chance."

At a meeting of Tilbury Community Forum last night (Wednesday, 26 November) Tilbury councillor Kairen Raper conceded that mistakes have been made – such as issuing food vouchers to families that they are unable to use.

Cllr Raper said the council had purchased food vouchers from ASDA and distributed them to families, only to learn that where they have been relocated there are no ASDA stores! Similar problems have been experienced with other vouchers. Other problems have arisen with the distribution of aid through 'official' channels.

The vacuum by what has been interpreted as council inaction, has led to members of the Tilbury community 'doing their own thing'.

For example one group is calling for donations to set up a Father Christmas Grotto in the town for the displaced children to attend – and items of clothing and goods are still being collected.

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The level of concern also involves problems about people being left unsupported and in hotels far away from Tilbury and being unable to get back to town to take youngsters to school. Concern has also been expressed about problems of .mental health pressure, caused by families being isolated in accommodation with no facilities and no nearby access to amenities, like the Premier Inn at West Thurrock which is located in a matrix of major roads.

Cllr Raper did say that initial problems with getting children to school had been recognised but she believed alternative transport arrangements are now in place so children do not miss schooling.

Concern has also been expressed about the lack of Evac chairs in the building - with the lefts not being in use. Firefighters had to manually assist some residents to leave.

And, despite messages of continued and deep-seated support for displaced residents occasionally coming out in comments from the council, some of those in temporary accommodation have contacted Nub News to tell of their despair and disappointment.

One says: "On the day of the flood I had only been in my flat for no more than 20 minutes. I heard a whooshing sound and went to investigate. The whole top floor was covered in water. I had no idea what to do. No one was telling me if I should evacuate or not.

"Luckily my flat was one of the few lucky ones that didn't actually flood. I spoke to the fireman around 8.30pm who told me to wait for someone from the council to come get me. It got to 10 past 10 at night and I made the choice to leave. The stairs were slippery as they were just concrete stairs with no grips.

"When I got to the 3rd floor we was held on the floor due to a medical emergency and had to wait a further 30 minutes till I could finally exit the building.

"Lucky the first two nights I had a friend who put me up. But I told the council I would need accommodation for the future.

"I was put up in North Stifford hotel. The following Monday I was then told I would be moved to the Campanile hotel in Basildon. My father then contacted council leader Cllr Lynn Worrall again telling them this wasn't acceptable because I need to be close to family for my mental health support.

"After a few emails forward and back they finally booked me in the Premier Inn West Thurrock hotel. I was there for a week.

"Last Friday Lisa from the housing team phoned to tell me they found me a unit with my own shower and kitchenette.

"I went to view this property this evening to collect the keys. I was in tears when I got there. It had just a bed which was mouldy the walls were covered in dirt and what looked to be body fluids. The bathroom was not much better. In the hotel I'm given fresh bedding, tea supply and a clean suitable bathroom. What I had been offered was appalling.

Road-locked: The Premier Inn at West Thurrock.

"I only got my keys for the property in Brisbane in early October. I spent so much money to get it nice and comfortable and now I'm facing worse accommodation than a hospital bed and the possibility of losing all my possessions.

"I'm now sofa surfing and I honestly don't know what to do. I hope this helps build a bigger picture of the state Thurrock Council are leaving their residents in."

At last night's meeting Cllr Raper confirmed that a number of voids – empty council properties in need of work, were being utilised to accommodate some of the displaced families.

Meanwhile there have been no public statements from the council about the situation since Cllr Worrall addressed cabinet last Wednesday (19 November). The last official statement from the council was on Thursday, 13 November.

Nub News editor Neil Speight delivered a video commentary on the situation on Monday.