PEOPLE whose homes were wrecked by floodwater have called for flood measures to protect them.

Residents in Toronto Close, Lower Wick, - some of whom were forced to evacuate after heavy rainfall and rising river levels caused serious damage to their properties - want a flood defence system to be put in place.

Some had to flee their homes after firefighters from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were called to the road at 10.39pm on Sunday (February 16) following Storm Dennis.

One resident, Steve Talbot said: “I’m a little bit annoyed because the council has promised to put up flood defences.

“The walls will have to be stripped and re-plastered to prevent contamination in the houses.

“You have got the River Teme at the back and it comes through the gates. It comes as high as 20 inches within half an hour.

“You can see your back garden disappearing and then it starts rising.”

One resident, who didn't want to be named, fled his home and is staying in the Travelodge in Cathedral Plaza.

He said: “It’s the frustration of the battle of getting the flood defences up on the brook.

“It is what it is. There are people who are in a worse state than us. There are people dying - this was minor in comparison.

“We were all expecting it, but it’s never been this bad. We had to prioritise and move all our stuff upstairs.

“The water had risen about 60cm in my home. The last time this happened was in 2007, but it was nowhere near as bad as this.”

Worcestershire County Council did not comment on the calls for a flood defence system, but did say the council is preparing an emergency package of support for those worst affected by flooding across the county.

Leader of the county council, Councillor Simon Geraghty, said: “We recognise the severe impact that recent storms have had on Worcestershire, and the impact that the subsequent flooding has had on residents, businesses and local communities.

“The recent rainfall that we’ve seen, following on from an extended period of wet weather, has led to some of the worst flooding in Worcestershire for many years.”

Cllr Geraghty added: “I am visiting some of those areas that have been hit hardest. I want to talk to people and listen to their concerns as we develop an emergency package of support. I will be announcing further details in the next day or so."

But yesterday, as residents struggled to clear up the mess, they questioned what could be done for the future.

Ben Hopkins, who moved to the area six months ago, said: “It was to be expected and I was told about flooding in the area – this also happened in 2007.

“There’s a river and brook not far away. I was hoping it would never happen again, but it has.

“I moved all the important things upstairs and moved my car. Next door banged on my door as the road was filling up. I panicked. Within an hour and a half, it was all in the house.”

Another resident said: “Next year we can flood again. What is the future for the properties here? We need to think about how to future proof the houses to make sure that if it does happen again, we can be quick.

“It’s frustrating. There is nothing you can do about it.

“This morning we had the road sweeper and path sweeper down to clear up. They jet washed the whole street and cleaned the area.

“It’s pointless getting angry, because it doesn’t solve anything.

“We had warning it was going to come. It doesn’t matter if you get two inches of flooding or two foot, you’re still flooded. It still damages all the material in your home.”