Mother left in tears as she returns to flooded home after Storm Babet

Published: 12:10, 24 October 2023 | Updated: 12:58, 24 October 2023

This is the moment that a single mother broke down in tears as she returned to her home to find it had been devastated by flooding during Storm Babet.

Marcela Farr, 40, was evacuated by fire crews early on Saturday morning who rowed her to safety from her property in the South Yorkshire village of Catcliffe.

Her house was among up to 250 properties evacuated in the area near Rotherham after water breached the River Rother and appeared to be up to 6ft (2m) deep.

Ms Farr endured an emotional return to her home yesterday, having just decorated it for Halloween ^[2] for her seven-year-old daughter Maya before the flooding.

The mother found her sofa upturned and the radiator coming off the wall after 4ft (1.2m) of floodwater including sewage had swept through the ground floor.

Meanwhile tributes were paid today to a much-loved mother and daughter who died in a collision on the M4 during the storm as they were pictured for the first time.

Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, of Caerphilly, South Wales, were killed in a crash with a lorry near Chippenham, Wiltshire, last Friday as the storm lashed Britain.

Ms Woods was praised as someone 'cherished by those in her life' who 'fulfilled the roles of a loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister, and a dear friend'.

And Ms Smith was described as having 'unselfishly devoted herself to her family's needs' and her 'absence leaves a void for those who relied on her radiant presence'.

Also today, it was revealed that the storm had spewed up a mysterious wooden structure onto a beach that could be a section of a missing whaling boat ^[3]which sunk off Marske-by-the-Sea on the North Yorkshire coast nearly 200 years ago.

Marcela Farr, 40, was seen breaking down in tears as she returned to her home in the South Yorkshire village of Catcliffe yesterday to find it had been devastated by flooding

Marcela Farr had been evacuated by fire crews early on Saturday morning who rowed her to safety from her property in the village of Catcliffe near Rotherham amid major flooding

Ms Farr endured an emotional return to her home in Catcliffe yesterday, having just decorated it for Halloween for her seven-year-old daughter Maya before the flooding

Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, of Caerphilly, South Wales, were killed in a crash with a lorry on the M4 near Chippenham, Wiltshire, last Friday as Storm Babet lashed Britain

The lorry crash which killed Ms Woods and Ms Smith on the M4 near Chippenham last Friday

It comes as fresh downpours continue to affect flood-hit parts of the UK today, with a yellow rain warning in place for the East Midlands and parts of Yorkshire until 4pm.

The Met Office ^[4] said homes and businesses could be flooded, fast-flowing or deep floodwater could cause a danger to life and some communities could be cut off.

There is also a new rain warning in place for London and the South East from 6pm tonight until 10am tomorrow.

Residents living in the Nottinghamshire village of Holme were unable to leave the area this morning due to all roads leading to the village becoming submerged.

The downpours could lead to further floods in other parts of Nottinghamshire as well Sheffield. The storm is so far known to have claimed the lives of at least nine people.

In Catcliffe, Ms Farr told the Mirror ^[5]: 'Where is everybody to help us? Nobody is helping us, we've just been left on our own. I'm left without anything, just the clothes we were wearing.

'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. They are supposed to be there helping us, they didn't even offer us a drink or anything, other locals did. It's outrageous, we are fuming that we have been left on our own with children and nowhere to go.'

A Met Office yellow rain warning is in force for the East Midlands until 4pm this afternoon

Another Met Office rain warning in the South East runs from 6pm tonight until 10am tomorrow

The Environment Agency has 87 flood warnings and 97 flood alerts in place for England today. These are shown in this map - warnings in red and alerts in amber

Ms Farr's friend Wioleta Michalska has now started a GoFundMe ^[6]page to raise funds for essentials they need such as food, clothes and toiletries as well as items for children and pets. It has already raised more than £1,000 and has a £5,000 target.

In other Storm Babet news today, Wiltshire Police revealed that relatives of mother and daughter Ms Woods and Ms Smith had paid tribute to them following their deaths in the M4 crash.

The family said: 'Cheryl Woods, cherished by those in her life, fulfilled the roles of a loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister and a dear friend.

'Her selflessness was a defining trait, consistently prioritising her family's well-being over her own, and she took immense pride in her Welsh heritage while nurturing a deep love for nature,' the family said in a statement.

'Sarha Smith, in the footsteps of her mother, unselfishly devoted herself to her family's needs ahead of her own.

'She was not only a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, but her absence leaves a void for those who relied on her radiant presence.

'Her legacy lives on through her six daughters, who will forever hold her memory close and strive to honour her with their efforts.'

Her house was among up to 250 properties evacuated in the area over the weekend after water breached the River Rother and appeared to be up to 6ft (2m) deep.

The huge wooden structure was spotted by dog walkers in Marske-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire

The structure was washed onto Marske-by-the-Sea beach on Saturday following strong winds

Some locals believe the frame could be part of the wrecked Whitby whaling boat The Esk

The mysterious wooden structure in Marske could be a section of a missing whaling boat

The Esk was grounded just off the coast of Marske in North Yorkshire in September 6, 1826

In Marske, the huge wooden structure was first spotted by dog walkers on the beach on Saturday following strong winds and huge waves caused by the storm.

Some locals believe the wooden frame could be part of the wrecked Whitby whaling boat The Esk, which was grounded just off the coast of Marske in September 6, 1826.

Redcar and Cleveland Council said it was aware of the wooden structure having washed up, but its identity has yet to be confirmed by any authorities.

The Esk was said to have been swept onto the rocks during a violent storm, having been returning to Whitby via Cullercoats and Shields from Greenland at the time.

Flooding in Worcester today which has left the racecourse underwater from the River Severn

Flooding near Henry Ward's farm at Bardney, Lincolnshire, today, which has become an island

Henry Ward's farm near Bardney in Lincolnshire today, which has turned into an island

Flooding in a caravan park near Lincoln today after the Barlings Eau river burst its banks

Henry Ward's farm near Bardney in Lincolnshire today, which has turned into an island

A report sourced from the 2001 book 'The Whaling Trade of North-East England 1750 - 1850' states: 'On September 6, 1826, Esk was within 30 miles of Whitby but making slow progress against a freshening southerly breeze.

'As evening drew on she shortened sail and moved closer inshore to gain the benefit of a south-flowing flood tide across Tees Bay. It was a fateful decision.

'Within hours a violent easterly gale caught Esk on a lee shore. Despite the frantic efforts of an experienced crew she grounded on the Saltscar reef between Redcar and Marske where she was pounded mercilessly by enormous waves.

'The crew of Redcar lifeboat made several unsuccessful attempts to reach the wreck and rescue the crew. In the grey light of dawn Esk finally broke up and her crew pitched into the sea. There were only three survivors. Whitby whaling never really recovered from the tragedy.'

As for the weather today, Met Office meteorologist Rachel Ayers said a few places, most likely Lincolnshire and Humberside, could see 30mm (1.2in) to 50mm (2in) of rain while southern England and Wales could experience 10mm (0.4in) to 20mm (0.8in).

A woman looks at items in her front room in Catcliffe, South Yorkshire today following flooding

A property is emptied on a street in Catcliffe in South Yorkshire today after flooding

Council workers help with the clear-up in Catcliffe in South Yorkshire today after flooding

A property is emptied on a street in Catcliffe in South Yorkshire today after flooding

Items outside a property in Catcliffe in South Yorkshire today following severe flooding

The inside of a destroyed car in Catcliffe is pictured today after flooding hit the village

A property is emptied on a street in Catcliffe in South Yorkshire today after flooding

She said there will be 'some respite' across Scotland on Tuesday after its battering by the storm.

Puppy braves high winds in Storm Babet

This is the cute moment a puppy braved the high winds of Storm Babet.

Cocker spaniel Mylo, one, stood strong as the gusts blew on Balmedie beach, north of Aberdeen.

Owner Euan Duff, a 34-year-old camera operator, videoed the dog during a walk on Thursday. He said he went out despite the bad weather as Mylo and his other cocker spaniel Poppy, four, would have gone 'crazy'.

Mr Duff, of Blackburn, Aberdeenshire, said: 'The girls are two working spaniels. They are very good with the weather. If you don't take them out they go crazy.

'It was rainy and windy but we were on the sand dunes where we were well protected. Where we live we were lucky that we were sheltered from the winds and flooding. We have been very lucky but we know people who haven't been so lucky.'

'The weather we are seeing on Tuesday is no longer associated with Storm Babet,' Ms Ayers said.

'We will see some heavy rain in areas affected by flooding during Storm Babet though the worst impacted areas in Scotland will remain mostly dry on Tuesday.'

She continued: 'Within the warning area we could see some travel disruption due to spray and flooding on roads.

'There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life, or that some communities could be cut off due to flooded roads.'

Almost all rail routes across Britain have now reopened following severe disruption amid Storm Babet and are operating a normal service, except for two in the Scottish Highlands.

One is the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line, where Network Rail trains will examine the line until approximately midday with the line expected to open with the first service the 1.46pm Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness.

The other is the Far North line between Inverness and Thurso and Wick, which will remain closed all day between Tain and Wick.

Reports of floods to the Environment Agency (EA) reached the highest level since 2015/16 at the peak of the storm, environment minister Rebecca Pow told the Commons yesterday.

The EA issued more than 300 flood warnings and received more than 1,800 calls to its flood line, she said.

Hundreds of people have been left homeless in the wake of Storm Babet, with about 1,250 properties in England flooded, according to the EA. Ms Pow said investigations are expected.

A total of 13 areas broke their daily rainfall records for October last week, including sites in Suffolk, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Wiltshire, Kincardineshire, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Northumberland, Derbyshire and Humberside, the Met Office said.

Waterside Perth saw a provisional total of 203.6mm (8in) of rain fall between midnight on Thursday and 6pm on Saturday, while Invermark saw 178.2mm (7in) and Charr in Kincardineshire had 183.6mm (7.2in), the Met Office said.

Debris and flood water at allotments in Retford, Nottinghamshire, today following Storm Babet

Torrential rain as passengers wait for trains at Maze Hill Station in South East London today

A miserable start to the day in South East London today as rail commuters wait at Maze Hill

A stag stands proud in a misty Richmond Park in South West London this morning

Walkers go out for a stroll on a misty morning at Richmond Park in South West London today

The average October rainfall in Angus is 124.79mm (4.9in) and it is 115.57mm (4.6in) in Kincardineshire.

Which trains are still impacted by storm?

Almost all UK rail routes have now reopened following severe disruption amid Storm Babet and are operating a normal service, except for these two:

Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh

Network Rail trains will route prove and examine the line until about noon with the line expected to open with the first service the 1.46pm Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness. Some services may run between Inverness and Dingwall only.

One replacement bus will run in place of the cancelled 10.56am Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh service, but this will be unable to serve Duirinish, Plockton, Duncraig, Stromferry, Achnasellach, Achnasheen and Achanalt.

Inverness and Thurso / Wick

The line on this route will remain shut all day between Tain and Wick. Some services may start/end at Invergordon or Tain. Replacement buses will run between Invergordon, Tain and Wick in place of some cancelled services.

The latest person confirmed dead yesterday was a man whose body was recovered by police after reports that a person was trapped in a vehicle in floodwater near Marykirk, Aberdeenshire, last Friday.

Police Scotland said that formal identification is still to take place, however next of kin have been informed.

On Saturday, 83-year-old Maureen Gilbert was found dead in her flooded home in Tapton Terrace, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Mrs Gilbert's neighbours said five feet of water had engulfed the inside of their properties 'within minutes' of the River Rother bursting its banks.

Wendy Taylor, 57, died after being swept into the Water of Lee, Glen Esk, on Thursday.

Mrs Taylor, who was described as 'the beloved wife, best friend and soulmate in life to George, mother to James, Sally and Susanna and Granny to India and George', was said to be 'a ray of sunshine for everyone who was fortunate enough to know her' in a tribute issued through Police Scotland.

Two women died after a five-vehicle crash on the M4 on Friday which is believed to have been weather-related.

Four cars and an HGV were involved in the crash on the eastbound carriageway between junction 17 for Chippenham and junction 18 for Bath.

A 56-year-old driver, John Gillan, died when a tree fell on his van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday and a man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing floodwater in the town of Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, on Friday.

Mr Gillan's family said he was a loving husband, dad, grandad and son.

John Gillan, 56, a painter and decorator from Arbroath in Angus, was killed when a tree struck his van on the B9127 at Whigstreet near Forfar last Thursday during Storm Babet

Maureen Gilbert with her husband Jack on their wedding day in 1975. Mrs Gilbert died in Storm Babet after floodwaters burst into her home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Wendy Taylor, 57,was swept into the Water of Lee, in Glenesk, north of Brechin, on Thursday

Meanwhile the Liberal Democrats have called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to convene an emergency Cobra (Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms) meeting about the floods.

Wendy Chamberlain, Lib Dem MP for North East Fife, said: 'Thousands of lives have been changed this weekend as a result of Storm Babet. Homes have been destroyed and lives have been lost, yet this Government has still not taken action.

'Rishi Sunak must call a Cobra meeting immediately. Any delay could have a devastating impact on those already displaced and whose lives have been turned upside down following this storm.

'The Government cannot delay any further, a robust recovery plan needs to be put in place immediately to ensure those affected can begin rebuilding their lives.'

Met Office Halloween ^[7]^[8]

References

^{^} Mark Duell (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^{^} Halloween (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^{^} mysterious wooden structure onto a beach that could be a section of a missing whaling boat (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^{^} Met Office (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^{^} Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)
^{^} GoFundMe (www.gofundme.com)
^{^} Met Office (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^{^} Halloween (www.dailymail.co.uk)