Storm Babet flooding: Catcliffe residents on trying to rebuild

The flooding created by Storm Babet took just hours to overwhelm defences and make its way into homes in Catcliffe, near Rotherham. As the waters begin to recede BBC News spoke to those facing months of upheaval and upset as they try to piece their lives and homes back together in its wake.

Susan Gray and her husband David were looking forward to Christmas after spending the past few months decorating their new home.

The couple, who moved in last year, had chosen and fitted new carpets and floors, redone the wallpaper and had shelled out for new furniture for the house in South View Terrace.

But all that effort, money and time was washed away in moments when flood waters rushed into their home after Storm Babet's arrival.

The couple left the property in the early hours of Saturday as the waters rose, now they don't know when they will be able to call it home again.

When I meet them, I've just picked my way around some of the streets which were swamped 48 hours earlier.

There are still bins bobbing about in the deeper patches with sopping litter strewn around thanks to the winds and water which swept through the community.

Inside, the picture is no better.

Their fridge, complete with magnets and the usual papers stuck on as handy reminders, has been toppled.

The nearby River Rother reached a record high, the water powerful enough to tip it over when it came into the couple's home.

Susan, 64, says she doesn't think they'll be back in this side of Christmas.

She tells me: "David has just had a stroke but has done all this decorating.

"The water has gone but it's a mess - but it's fixable."

"We've got to look at the positives. If you aren't positive, you just break down and cry, " she adds.

In their rush to flee, the couple forgot to grab her medication.

The mum-of-three said: "My husband and I are both diabetic.

"David got his insulin but I didn't, so I had to get an emergency prescription."

The scenes in Catcliffe are not unfamiliar to long-term residents.

In 2007 much of the village was left under water, forcing hundreds of people out of their homes.

The flooding back then meant numerous residents were unable to insure their properties again or sell them without a loss as a result.

Jane Sharp, 65, explains: "One of the people whose house flooded in 2007 got their property evaluated after and the value was at £1.

"Who would want to stay?

"I'm 65, my husband, Roy, is 60 - in 10 to 20 years we are not going to be able to cope as well."

Jane says she has declined offers of temporary accommodation for fear of being burgled while their home lies empty.

Instead, the couple have decided to live upstairs, with a makeshift kitchen in one of their spare bedrooms.

She says: "Last time [the 2007 flooding] we went back in just before Christmas but it was warm, we could open all the windows.

"This time it's going to take a lot longer."

For many, the prospect of not being able to spend Christmas at home or with their loved ones is a concern.

Victoria Hobson, 54, had hoped to visit her father during the festive period.

"He is nearly 80 and suffers from Parkinson's, he's had three strokes and a heart bypass and is partially blind

"Every month with Dad is a blessing, we were hoping to come here to do Christmas with Dad as it could be his last."

Instead, her father has had to be "moved into emergency care" since Saturday and it remains unclear when he will be able to move back into his home.

Victoria, who has taken a week off work to help her father, says: "He has lived in Catcliffe for 17 years.

"He is devastated. He was heartbroken and terrified."

Lisa Pyatt, 54, is mulling over what she's going to do with her 22-week-old kitten.

The family pet will not be allowed into temporary accommodation.

Lisa, who has lived here for 32 years, sums it up: "I do not know where to start, I've got rubbish all over my floor.

"It wasn't bothering me at first but it's just started to hit home now and how long it's going to take."

According to a notice from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, support for residents is available at the Memorial Hall in Old School Lane.

Paul Woodcock, the council's strategic director of regeneration and environment, told BBC Radio Sheffield river levels in the area had exceeded those seen in 2007.

"We did 28 tonnes of sand [bags], we had staff out here, we had our drainage teams as well," he said.

"We've had over 40 staff out there today working to clear the roads and side roads to make it safe for people to go back and assess their properties."

Darren Livingstone, who lives in nearby Waverley View, says he has seen food and clothes being handed out to families and said staff had been providing advice and updates.

Like many others affected, the 53-year-old was trying to focus on the future.

"It has happened, there is nothing we can do.

"We will be alright down here, we are a strong community."

The waters may be slowly draining away but something more permanent had been left in the minds of people in Catcliffe.

Victoria asks the question on many people's lips: "What is worrying me now is the forecast for heavy rain - is it going to hit us again?"

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