any belongings which were not destroyed by four-feet high rainwater.

Mrs. Ida Semos, and her son, Ronnie, watched helplessly as yesterday morning's heavy downpour filled the lower apartment of "Glen Steer'' in half an hour, covering everything in its path.

And although the Fire Service responded quickly to the flooding at the house on Bermuda Beach Road which borders Bermuda College's Stonington property, bedroom and living room furniture in the lower apartment occupied by Mrs.

Semos could not be saved.

Mrs. Semos, who has lived in the home for 34 years, was too upset to comment yesterday.

But Mr. Semos, who also lost some personal items which were in the garage, blamed the flooding on construction at the college.

He said he believes it was caused by rainwater collecting in an area, as large as the national stadium, which has been landscaped for tennis courts and a soccer field at the college.

Mr. Semos said this was the fourth time in two years that rainwater from the site had overflown into their property.

"There used to be a fairly large garden across from our house,'' he said.

"It was overgrown with vegetation. But since it has been cleared (for Bermuda College development), water accumulates in it when there is a heavy rain downpour and it ultimately rushes down into our yard.'' Mr. Semos said he assumed that the problem had been corrected because adjustments were made to the landscape after the last flooding in November -- which did not compare to yesterday's downpour.

"We were under the assumption that it would not happen again, so we were totally unprepared for it this time,'' he said. "It travelled right through four rooms in the lower apartment and a basement cellar and garage in no more than half an hour.

"All clothes, furniture, and wiring are out. It's like starting all over again. It's very similar to someone getting burnt out,'' said Mr. Semos as D&J Construction took over the clean-up.

The college's physical plant director, Mr. Oliver Pitcher, said the flooding was mainly due to a drain blockage at Stonington.

"We're trying to keep the drains clear and get grass growing on these banks to hold back the water,'' he said. "Right now there is nothing really to hold the soil from being washed away.

"Now that some has been washed down, the area has to be resurfaced and replanted. Then it is only a matter of getting the grass growing.'' Bermuda, Fire & Marine Insurance company was still assessing the damage yesterday for the college and Mr. Pitcher said: "We're taking precaution so it does not happen again''.

But he did not rule out the possibility of more flooding before the grass grows on the embankment.

The college has arranged for Mrs. Semos to stay at one of its cottages while her home is repaired.