'The water was moving like a sea': Northampton flood victims left counting the cost of last night's storm

Several shops, salons and takeaways in St Leonard's Road are still covered with a layer of thick mud after the heavy thunderstorms last night.

Drains in Far Cotton, many of which were completely blocked with mud and rubbish before the rain hit, failed to disperse the rising waters.

It meant that the area was once again left under a river of brown water, some 20 years after the famous Easter Floods caused millions of pounds worth of damage in Northampton.

Jill Shrigley's nail salon in St Leonard's Road was left under 2ft of water after the flash flood.

She had only just completed a £5,000 refurbishment of the business and marked it with a grand reopening.

Today she has had to remove all of the flooring.

Jill first heard that her salon was caught in the floods after friends got in touch with her on Facebook.

She rushed into town at around 8pm, before pulling up by the Golden horse and wading the remaining metres to the shop front.

Hundreds of pounds worth of stock, including waxes and machines, was ruined.

"When we looked over towards Asda it was like a river," she said, describing the scene last night.

"The water was covering cars, there were people floating around, it was just surreal.

"The water was moving like the sea."

Despite the flood devastating the ground floor of her salon, Jill is hoping to reopen tomorrow.

"I have seven people's livelihoods to consider here, she said.

"It is totally devastating, but we have to carry on."

It is believed that more than 70 homes have been affected.

Emergency crews were on the scene last night and will continue to be in the area throughout today giving advice to households.

Northamptonshire County Council, the lead local flood authority for the county, says it will co-ordinate an independent investigation to "better understand what factors contributed to the flooding".

Those affected by flooding are being asked to report it on the county council’s Report a Flood webpage.

Councillor Phil Larratt, deputy leader for Northampton Borough Council, said: "We are working with partners to support businesses and residents across various areas of the town, who have been affected by the surface flooding on Sunday, 27 May.

"Already we have cleared a large amount of debris from roads around the worst affected areas in Far Cotton.

"In addition, we have visited residents in Far Cotton and Briar Hill to find out more about how their properties have been affected and advise on how to stay safe in their homes.

"Tomorrow additional rubbish collections and support will be available to help residents in affected areas clear their homes of damaged property and get businesses back up and running.

"In the meantime, we advise residents without power not to try and turn it back on themselves, and for all to take plenty of photos damage caused and to wash their hands regularly after touching flood affected property."

To report flooding to your property, please visit floodtoolkit.com

More information can be found on the county council’s Flood Toolkit website, which is available at: www.floodtoolkit.com