24 October 2023 , 06:23
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A devastated mother has "lost everything" - including all her four-year-old son's toys - in damage caused by Storm Babet.
Lynsey Pickering showed the Mirror the carnage the floods have caused her home in Catcliffe, South Yorkshire. In a candid video, water is seen throughout the kitchen and living room, where the boy's strewn toys lay in a heap of mess. Lynsey's house insurance expired just two weeks ago, she told the Mirror. Friends and family have rallied to support the family, and a crowdfunding site has been created. It aims to raise £500 so the desperate mum can at least replace her son's toys and other belongings.
Lynsey Pickering, picture with spouse Dave, is heartbroken following the flood (Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)Her dire situation mirrors that of others across the country, following the impish Storm Babet. Marcela Farr, who also lives in Catcliffe, broke down when she saw the severe damage to her home. The 40-year-old mother was evacuated by fire and rescue at 4am on Saturday on an "inflatable platform" after water breached the River Rother. At one stage - as she was rowed to safety - the water appeared to be 5 to 6ft deep.
Both Lynsey and Marcela face hefty costs to repair damage to their properties. It's the loss of the toys, though, feared to cause Lynsey and her family more agony. Writing in the crowdfunding appeal on JustGiving, a man thought to be Lynsey's father said: "Weʼre raising £500 to replace my grandsons toys and belongings after the terrible floods in Catcliffe. They have lost everything." The Mirror has approached the man for further detail.
Lynsey inspects flood damage in her home in the aftermath of Storm Babet (PA)Some rivers in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have exceeded their previous highest levels from 2007. Communities in these counties, particularly in and around Retford, Nottinghamshire, therefore being urged to prepare for the risk of significant flooding for the rest of this week.
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More than 1,200 homes across England alone have been flooded. However, Environment Agency (EA) says an estimated 41,000 properties have been protected and, as part of the EA’s response, 20 high volume pumps and five small volume pumps have been deployed across several sites.
Yet more flood warnings are expected to be issued across Yorkshire and the East Midlands into next week with river flooding expected to continue until the end of the week along the River Trent. In Yorkshire, despairing Marcela told the Mirror: "Now I am going to live in fear every time it rains, I am not going to be able to sell the house. It’s going to be a nightmare from now on. Our insurance is going to sky high. We are all very disappointed that we didn't get any help." To donate to Lynsey's appeal, click here.
Sarah Cook, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Our heartfelt sympathies and condolences are with those who have lost loved ones in Storm Babet as well as those who are experiencing the devastating impact of having their homes and businesses flooded.
"More rain is expected, especially in the Nottinghamshire region falling on to saturated ground, meaning there is a risk of continued high levels on rivers such as the Trent and River Idle. Further significant river flooding is possible but not expected to continue into Wednesday."