Yorkshire flooding: Catcliffe residents feel abandoned by authorities

Residents in a South Yorkshire village swamped by flood water caused by Storm Babet have told the BBC they feel forgotten.

On Saturday, 250 homes were evacuated in Catcliffe near Rotherham, according to the Environment Agency (EA).

However, on Sunday some residents levelled criticism at the authorities for a perceived "lack of support".

In response, the EA said it was "currently looking at the best use of our pumps and other resources".

Chris Lloyd's home was flooded in 2007 when the River Rother breached in Catcliffe and much of the village was submerged under water for several days.

Now he is flooded out again.

"We were evacuated at three o'clock [on] Saturday morning. We moved what we could, but it was not enough," he said.

"We still can't get in [to his home] this morning. It's too deep. We've lost a lot. Stuff that can't be replaced."

Mr Lloyd said he and his partner were currently staying at her mother's home.

Asked what support he had been given by the authorities, Mr Lloyd replied: "We've had nothing from nobody."

Following the flood of 2007, Mr Lloyd said residents were promised "it wouldn't happen again".

Fighting back tears, Sophie Skidmore said: "It's really hit me this morning how much we have lost. Some very sentimental things for definite. It's just awful."

Asked if she had been given any indication when she could move back into her home, Ms Skidmore said: "Nobody has told us anything. The water's not going down."

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has been approached for comment.

Phil Bodmer - BBC Look North

People here in Catcliffe are very angry. They're telling me they feel as though they have been left to fend for themselves.

They're telling me they haven't seen anyone from the council or the Environment Agency.

Water levels have dropped [in the River Rother], but standing flood water in Catcliffe has not gone down.

People want the water pumped out of their homes so they can go in, assess the damage and bring in the insurers.

The topography of the village, part of which sits in a natural dip, isn't helping matters.

After the flood of 2007, when new defences were installed, people were hopeful there wouldn't be a repeat.

In a statement, the EA said: "We know the devastating impact flooding can have on communities, and we're working hard with other agencies to support areas like Catcliffe."

On the issue of pumps, it added: "We are currently looking at the best use of our pumps and other resources. We naturally want the pumps to make a difference when we use them."

The EA said the situation was "improving", with a period of dry weather expected. It said teams had been out across Yorkshire "clearing debris from rivers, operating flood gates and providing advice to the public".

Alerts and warnings were being removed constantly, it added. As of Sunday lunchtime, the EA said there were 14 flood warnings - indicating flooding was likely - and 23 alerts, where flooding is possible. Updates can be found here.

Some parts of Yorkshire had seen double the monthly averages of rainfall in the last 24 to 36 hours, the EA said.

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