Big Issue vendor 'loses everything' in Storm Claudia floods that left him 'worried for his life'

A Big Issue vendor “lost everything” when flash floods that devastated Monmouth in the wake of Storm Claudia swept away his tent and belongings and left him fearing for his life.

Vincent Lewis, 61, had been sleeping rough in the Welsh market town and selling the magazine on its main street since September before Storm Claudia hit on Friday (14 November).

A major incident was declared in Monmouth over the weekend as the River Monnow reached record levels and flooded the town centre with nearly five inches of rain falling in the space of just five hours.

Lewis, who met Prince William for his We Can End Homelessness ITV documentary last year, was caught up in the initial deluge, leaving him wading through water to escape.

“Within seconds – and I mean seconds – I look around and there’s flooding and I’m thinking: How am I going to get out of here? I can’t get through. There’s no way out,” Lewis told Big Issue. 

“The water was up to my hip and I’m six foot. As I was walking back up the hill all you could see was bins and water everywhere and it was getting dangerous then. I did panic then to be honest with you.

“I was really worried for my life. I’ve been on the streets for a long time but it was the first time I’d really panicked. It was like high tide. It was really nasty.

“I’ve lost everything. My tent, all my bedding, all my clothes, all my paperwork, everything.”

Since Storm Claudia subsided, Lewis has managed to secure a new tent and Big Issue has been trying to reach him to replace his lost belongings.

This is not the first time storms have severely hit Big Issue vendors in Wales. In November 2024, when Storm Bert brought record-breaking rainfall and river levels to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Big Issue vendors in Wales were hugely disrupted, with nearly 20% fewer sales recorded than in the same week a year earlier.

The local community in Monmouth has been supporting Lewis as the clean-up continues.

“There are very good people here. The community is pulling together. People have been giving free, hot food out,” said Lewis.

“Big Issue have been helping me too but they haven’t been able to get to me because the roads have been blocked off. 

“Big Issue are getting everything that I need. They’ve been very good to me over the years anyway. They couldn’t help me initially because they couldn’t get to me but that’s been the same for everybody here.”

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Big Issue is urging the public to support Vincent Lewis as he gets back on his feet by taking out a subscription in his aid.

Just like with sales Big Issue vendors make on the street, 50% of all subscription fees go directly into Lewis’ pocket, with the other half enabling the Big Issue to offer support and earning opportunities for vendors.

Catherine Parsons, managing director of the Big Issue, said: “Our team is doing all we can to help Vincent recover from this awful setback. We’re using our Hand-Up Fund to replace items like clothing and shoes that were destroyed by the flood.

“Anything you can do to support Vincent or any of your local Big Issue vendors is hugely appreciated as we recover from the significant impact of the storm.”

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