Villagers whose homes have been swamped with waist-deep floodwater yesterday accused the authorities of abandoning them.
Fishlake, near Doncaster, was cut off by its worst flooding in living memory when the River Don burst its banks.
About 700 residents were told to evacuate over the weekend after nearly a month’s worth of rain fell in a single day.
Fishlake (pictured coffins floating inside a flooded funeral home), near Doncaster, was cut off by its worst flooding in living memory when the River Don burst its banks
But many said by the time flood warnings had been issued and sandbags handed out, it was already too late to save their properties from the flood.
And they said they have since been left with ‘no support’ on the ground from the local council.
After the weather brought chaos to parts of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and with little sign of the water subsiding last night, it is likely to be days until residents can start to examine the damage.
About 700 residents were told to evacuate over the weekend (pictured, in Fishlake) after nearly a month’s worth of rain fell in a single day
But with forecasters warning of more heavy rain in the North today and tomorrow, there were fears that other communities could be devastated too.
In Fishlake, which yesterday remained accessible only by boat or tractor, residents were clubbing together to provide hot food and drinking water for families who had been unwilling to leave their homes and farmers caring for livestock.
Louise Holling, who owns The Old Butchers cafe, said: ‘We’re giving out coffee and bacon sandwiches to everyone who wants them, but we’ve had no support at all from Doncaster Council.
Many said by the time flood warnings had been issued and sandbags handed out, it was already too late to save their properties from the flood (pictured)
‘My house is one of the few which wasn’t flooded. We’ve had 15 people staying. We can’t understand why the floods were so bad. There are people who have lived in the village for 90 years and they’ve never seen anything like it.’
Linda Bushell said she received a flood alert text message from the Environment Agency only after the water was in her house.
‘It’s completely under water,’ she said. ‘Everything is just floating about in my garden.’
Builder Mark Sengelow, 47, woke up on Saturday morning to find his house filled with 2ft of water. He said: ‘It stinks. There’s debris and sewage in it. It was heartbreaking to see the house ruined.’
In Fishlake, which yesterday remained accessible only by boat or tractor, residents were clubbing together to provide hot food and drinking water for families who had been unwilling to leave their homes and farmers caring for livestock. Pictured: Mark Sengelon’s flood hit home in Fishlake, South Yorkshire
In the nearby market town of Stainforth, residents were providing supplies and support to families who had abandoned their homes.
Mother-of-five Amy Grant, 27, said: ‘We’ve had donations from Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s but absolutely nothing from Doncaster Council. It’s terrible.’
Doncaster Council insisted its staff had been working around the clock to help people affected by flooding, while an RAF Chinook helicopter had been drafted in to shore up flood defences.
Chief executive Damian Allen said: ‘The council is unable to offer on-the-ground support to residents who are in severe flood warning areas, based on advice from the Environment Agency.
‘We have set up a dedicated rest centre for all Fishlake residents in neighbouring Stainforth, where council officers are on hand to offer dedicated support, advice and guidance.’
Seven severe ‘danger to life’ flood warnings remained in place last night, all along the River Don in Yorkshire, along with 40 active flood warnings.
Dan Greenslade, 34, and Jade Croft, 29
New baby… but parents can’t bring her home
New parents Dan Greenslade, 34, and Jade Croft, 29, have been unable to get back to their home in Fishlake since their daughter’s birth on Friday.
The couple had spent around £5,000 renovating their £180,000 end of terrace house ahead of the arrival of their first child, Indie.
They are staying with Jade’s parents in nearby Hatfield but are unsure when they will be able to return and Mr Greenslade, a marketing manager, fears their possessions will have been ruined.
‘All the baby clothes and things are in the house and we can’t get back to get them,’ he said. ‘It’s devastating.’