Flood victims in Acton Bridge and Weaverham move into temporary homes

Salvage teams are emptying waterlogged properties and experts fear it could take up to a year for all the repair and renovation to be completed.

Around 30 homes, including bungalows in Warrington Road, Acton Bridge and cottages in Sandy Lane, Weaverham were extensively damaged when Storm Christoph struck.

Up to 15 cars were abandoned and many boats destroyed, including one motor launch that was left marooned sitting on railings nine feet above the river.

Bungalows in Sandy Lane, Weaverham, were waterlogged Picture: Jerry Marshall

Bungalows in Sandy Lane, Weaverham, were waterlogged Pictures : Jerry Marshall

Cheshire West and Chester councillors Paul Williams and Gillian Edwards, who look after Weaver and Cuddington, were first at the scene of the devastation and have worked tirelessly to provide a lifeline to flood victims.

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The pair want to thank the local community and businesses for providing help and support and have nothing but praise for the resilience of people who lost their homes.

Hazardous Area Response Teams rescued residents trapped in flooded homes

Hazardous Area Response Teams rescued residents trapped in flooded homes

"We took the first evacuees out of the boats with the hazardous response team at 7am on that Thursday morning," said Cllr Williams.

"People were wet, frightened and cold, with snow on the ground and didn't know what to do. There was no one else there so we have been sorting everything out.

This motor launch was left marooned sitting on railings nine feet above the river

This motor launch was left marooned sitting on railings nine feet above the river

"We had to trample through six inches of deep, black, greasy silt smelling of diesel and sewage."

Wall Hill Farm Guest House offered bed and breakfast accommodation and local cafes, restaurants, fish and chip shops and pubs have been providing meals.

"It has been a wonderful rallying round of the local community," said Cllr Williams. "A lot of people have been donating meals and volunteers in the village have been collecting them. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped."

The devastation left by the flood had been heart-wrenching.

"It has been a tragic sight seeing salvage teams pull out piles of sodden furniture and personal belongings,"said Cllr Williams. "One elderly gentleman said he hopes he hasn't lost all the press cuttings of his father from the Second World War.

"To see people wade over three foot high piles of books and photo albums covered in mud is absolutely heartbreaking.

"It is their lives, all their memories gone."

Cllr Fifield, who is shielding, provided back-up support from home.

Cllr Edwards said: "It's been a long 10 days but we have the utmost respect and admiration for all the residents in the face of such disaster and adversity.

"There is still a very long way to go and this is only the start of the recovery so we will still be providing all our love and support.

"We have been totally overwhelmed by the amount and level of help provided."

Councillors want to thank Wall Hill Farm Guest House, Northwich Isolation Support, The Ark Cafe, Vinnies, Bombay Quay, Chang Noi at The Birch and Bottle, Hazel Pear, |Sayers, Theo's and Weaverham Bank Farm.