Crews praised after helping flood-hit village

Wyre councillors Roger Berry and Michael Ryan said they ‘particularly’ wanted to thank the police and fire services for their ‘professionalism and rapid response throughout the incident’.

They said: “I would also like to thank the Environment Agency and Army for their resolve in tackling the breach repairs day and night in terrible conditions.

“Finally I would like to thank all the officers who assisted and continue to assist residents in these difficult times who worked through the night throughout December to ensure the right actions were taken to safeguard our communities.”

The council called an emergency meeting and called in a severe weather officer when the River Wyre and River Brock rose to ‘extremely high levels’ last month, with both the Catterall and Garstang flood basins opened.

Warnings were issued and sandbags sent to Garstang and St Michaels.

Pumps and sandbags were also sent to Cornmill Nursing Home in Bonds Lane, Garstang, after residents were put on standby to evacuate by ambulance, with severe flooding being avoided after teams worked until 3.45am.

As more families were urged to leave their homes, more than 120 properties in St Michaels had their power supply disconnected, roads were closed, and large pumps deployed.

The clean up operation involved removing 55 tonnes of damaged food, eight tonnes of animal feed, and organising resilience grants of up to £5,000.

The councillors added: “Staff worked in a stressful environment, particularly where people had no insurance, and cases where personal effects were put into a bin wagon for disposal.”