A Christmas lunch at the Serangoon Gardens Country Club (SGCC) turned into a nightmare for Jorene Cheong when she discovered her car submerged in floodwater. The heavy rain on December 25, 2023, caused the car park to flood, damaging her five-year-old BMW beyond repair. Despite reaching out to SGCC for compensation, the club denied responsibility, attributing the incident to “exceptionally heavy rainfall” and claiming no negligence on their part.
Background
Cheong’s ordeal began when she went to retrieve her car after the rain had subsided, only to find it submerged up to the wheels. The flood, which lasted from 1:50 pm to 2:40 pm, caused significant damage to her vehicle, leading her insurer to declare it a “total loss.” SGCC’s loss adjuster stated that the flooding was beyond the club’s reasonable control and that there was no evidence of negligence.
Only an hour and a half
Cheong contested SGCC’s claims, pointing out that the rain lasted only about an hour and a half. According to the National Environment Agency, there were “widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers” that afternoon, but no flash floods were reported by PUB. Cheong questioned the effectiveness of the club’s drainage system, noting that the club did not instruct members to move their vehicles, resulting in chaos.
“Internal drainage issue”
In her pursuit of accountability, Cheong contacted PUB, which confirmed that it was SGCC’s responsibility to ensure proper drainage. PUB had been advising SGCC since 2011 on how to address their “internal drainage issue.” Despite this, SGCC maintained that the flooding was beyond their control and required Cheong to provide compelling evidence of their failure.
“Unfair”
Cheong, whose vehicle was registered under her mother’s club membership, expressed her disappointment with SGCC’s response. She argued that the flood would not have occurred if the club had maintained its drainage system. Cheong also highlighted that SGCC had not provided evidence of drainage maintenance, calling their lack of response “irresponsible.” She now hopes to connect with other affected members to take collective action against the club.
Seeking accountability
Cheong’s experience raises questions about the club’s preparedness and responsibility in managing flood risks. As she seeks to rally other affected members, the incident underscores the importance of effective drainage systems and timely communication during emergencies. Fathership has reached out to SGCC for comment on the matter.
