Flood bill to run into millions

The insurance bill for the floods is set to run into millions of pounds

The insurance bill for the East Devon floods last week is likely to run into millions of pounds, according to the Association Of British Insurers (ABI).

The storm resulted in about 200 homes and 30 firms in Ottery St Mary being deluged by floodwaters which reached 4ft (1.2m) high in areas.

The cost of road repairs and the clean-up operation is expected to cost Devon County Council in excess of £1m.

The ABI said the national average cost to repair a flooded home is £40,000.

The cost to businesses is usually about £100,000 each.

'Considerable damage'

Roads into the low-lying town of Ottery St Mary became flooded with torrents of water, hedges were ripped away, sections of roads were torn up and a deluge of silt and rubble washed across the town during the storms which hit overnight last Thursday.

Crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service had to be drafted in to rescue dozens of people from homes.

More than 120 highway staff from Devon Council were deployed to re-open roads in areas devastated by the flooding and hailstorms.

The worst of the clear-up is expected to be completed by Friday but the minor road network will take longer.

The cost is likely to be immense Councillor Roger Giles

Devon County Council leader Brian Greenslade said: "The county council will do whatever has to be done to reinstate the roads to normality but the final bill is still to be determined."

Councillor Roger Giles, for Ottery St Mary Rural, added: "Ottery St Mary and Feniton bore the brunt of the storm and the damage after this event.

"However, there were also many other communities such as Alfington and Tipton St. John that were also hit very hard and suffered considerable damage. The cost is likely to be immense."

East Devon District Council is now appealing for owners of holiday lets which are vacant during the off-season to contact them as the properties may be of use to people who have to move out of their homes to enable repairs to be carried out.

The Environment Agency and other authorities are inviting anyone affected by the floods to a surgery at the Tumbling Weir Hotel in Ottery St Mary on Wednesday.

A fund set up to help those affected by the floods has reached £1,600.