People in a village in South Yorkshire inundated by floodwaters due to the effects of Storm Babet have conveyed that they perceive a sense of neglect or disregard.
On Saturday, the Environment Agency (EA) reported the evacuation of 250 homes in Catcliffe near Rotherham.
However, some residents criticized the authorities on Sunday, citing a perceived "lack of support."
In response, the EA stated that they were "currently examining the optimal utilization of our pumps and other resources."
Chris Lloyd, who experienced flooding in 2007 when the River Rother breached in Catcliffe, leaving much of the village submerged for several days, is now facing another flood situation.
"We were evacuated at three o'clock [on] Saturday morning. We moved what we could, but it was not enough," he said.
"This morning, we still can't access our home. The water is too deep. We've suffered significant losses, including items that are irreplaceable."
Mr. Lloyd mentioned that he and his partner are currently staying at her mother's home. When asked about the support they've received from the authorities, he responded, "We haven't received any assistance from anyone."
Mr. Lloyd also recalled that after the 2007 flood, residents were assured that such an event wouldn't recur.
Sophie Skidmore, fighting back tears, expressed, "It's really hit me this morning how much we have lost. Some very sentimental things, for sure. It's just devastating."
When asked if she had received any information about when they could return to their home, Ms. Skidmore said, "No one has provided us with any updates. The water levels aren't receding."
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has been contacted for a statement.
Residents in Catcliffe are expressing strong dissatisfaction, sharing their sentiment that they've been left to manage the situation on their own. They report not having seen any representatives from the local council or the Environment Agency.
While water levels in the River Rother have receded, the standing floodwater within Catcliffe remains a problem. Residents are eager to have the floodwater pumped out of their homes to allow them to assess the damage and involve their insurers.
The village's topography, with some parts situated in a natural depression, is exacerbating the situation.
Following the flood in 2007, during which new defenses were put in place, people were optimistic that a similar event wouldn't occur again.
In a statement, the Environment Agency (EA) conveyed, "We understand the devastating impact that flooding can have on communities, and we are working diligently alongside other agencies to provide assistance to areas such as Catcliffe."
Regarding the use of pumps, they explained, "We are currently assessing the most effective utilization of our pumps and other resources. Naturally, we want the pumps to have a meaningful impact when deployed."
The EA indicated that the situation was "improving," with a period of dry weather expected. Their teams had been actively involved in Yorkshire, focusing on tasks like clearing debris from rivers, operating flood gates, and providing guidance to the public. They also mentioned that alerts and warnings were continuously being removed. As of Sunday lunchtime, there were 14 flood warnings, signifying a likelihood of flooding, and 23 alerts, indicating that flooding is possible. Updates can be found on their website.
The EA pointed out that certain areas of Yorkshire had experienced rainfall levels double the typical monthly averages in the last 24 to 36 hour