A LOCAL artist from Swansea, Pete Rumble, had to be rescued from his home studio during a flash flood that caused severe damage to his property and artwork. Rumble, 42, a quadriplegic artist, was stranded when nearly 45 cm of water surged into his adapted studio on the night of September 6, 2024.
Rumble was rescued by boat after calling emergency services, and firefighters returned to save his sister Suzy and his dog, Rufus, who were also inside the studio. Despite Suzy’s efforts to salvage what she could, much of Rumble’s work and equipment were destroyed, including 50 paintings and his specialised wheelchairs.
The artist explained that the floodwaters rose rapidly, submerging his home studio within just 30 minutes, with additional water pouring in as firefighters opened the door to rescue him. Rumble, who lost the use of his legs at 18 due to a spinal tumour, had turned to painting as physical and mental therapy. Over the years, he had established a successful career painting landscapes of the Gower Peninsula.
The flood caused significant damage, with Rumble estimating the cost of repairs and replacements to exceed £10,000. In addition to destroyed artworks, the flood damaged his £8,000 wheelchair and a specialised rugby wheelchair worth £5,500.
Ironically, Rumble’s mother had recently cancelled their home contents insurance, meaning he will have to bear the cost of replacing most of the destroyed items. Despite the damage, Rumble remained positive, praising the support of his local community.
Friends and fellow artists have rallied around the artist to help him clean up and restore what is left of his studio. A Crowdfunding page was set up by his friend and fellow artist, Peter Price, to help raise funds for repairs, equipment replacements, and other necessary expenses. You can support Pete Rumble’s recovery efforts through his JustGiving page.
“The community’s response has been incredible,” Rumble said. “At a time of economic hardship and personal grief, their support has made this disaster feel more manageable.”
The Crowdfunding campaign has already raised over £6,000, and efforts continue to rebuild Rumble’s studio, which had been specially adapted to accommodate his painting needs. Rumble expressed hope that some of his water-damaged paintings could be salvaged once they dried out.
