As the dust settles after a Second World War bomb exploded in Great Yarmouth, it has been revealed how dozens of older and vulnerable people were supported during the evacuation by the county council.
The 250kg unexploded bomb had been discovered after workers carried out dredging work at the site of the third river crossing at the River Yare.
The bomb was detonated just before 5pm last Friday during work to disarm it.
With social care teams from Norfolk County Council supporting 70 people living inside the cordoned areas who had to be evacuated from their homes in Great Yarmouth, staff from the county council’s Adult Social Care team were part of the multi-agency evacuation and recovery efforts.
The unexploded bomb in #GreatYarmouth detonated earlier during work to disarm it. Our drone captured the moment. We can confirm that no one was injured. Public safety has been at the heart of our decision making all the way through this operation, which we know has been lengthy. pic.twitter.com/9SaeYmHkrb
— Norfolk Police (@NorfolkPolice) February 10, 2023
Most residents were evacuated to rest centres, with carers from the council's Norfolk First Support team at St George's Theatre supporting anyone with additional needs.
Those needing additional care were found alternative provisions.
This included Sharon Arden, who lives on Southtown Road, and has suffered mobility issues for several months.
Norfolk County Council arranged to temporarily move her into St Augustine’s Place with her daughter Zoe Kerr and cat Charlie.
Ms Arden said: "The first I knew of the bomb was someone knocking on the door and letting us know that we had to leave – it was all a bit of a shock.
"We are eternally grateful to the council for moving us to St Augustine’s - I felt safe, warm and well looked after."
Social work teams also kept in regular contact with Avery Lodge care home on the edge of the cordoned area.
Shelagh Gurney, deputy cabinet member for adult social care at Norfolk County Council, said: "This was clearly a worrying time for people living in the area, particularly those with care needs who might have felt even more anxious about leaving their homes.
"Our staff worked round the clock with a whole range of agencies to make sure that we could keep all of our older and vulnerable residents safe."
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