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UK flooding: Devastated families claim they were 'sacrificed' to the floods UK flooding: Devastated families claim they were 'sacrificed' to the floods
(34 minutes later)
The anger was palpable along Huntington Road in York, where families waded through water to try to salvage treasured possessions from their flooded homes as Prime Minister David Cameron visited the city.The anger was palpable along Huntington Road in York, where families waded through water to try to salvage treasured possessions from their flooded homes as Prime Minister David Cameron visited the city.
Hundreds of homeowners were left counting the cost after their houses near the River Foss were swamped when a flood gate was deliberately raised at the height of the deluge to prevent it from becoming stuck.Hundreds of homeowners were left counting the cost after their houses near the River Foss were swamped when a flood gate was deliberately raised at the height of the deluge to prevent it from becoming stuck.
Many were left wanting answers as their homes and cars remained under water. One couple was seen using a canoe to try to return to their flooded home and others waded knee-deep to their doorsteps.Many were left wanting answers as their homes and cars remained under water. One couple was seen using a canoe to try to return to their flooded home and others waded knee-deep to their doorsteps.
Maggie Caudwell, who lives on the street, said: “It’s okay for David Cameron to play helicopters and come here for a photoshoot, but what happened with that flood barrier was pathetic.Maggie Caudwell, who lives on the street, said: “It’s okay for David Cameron to play helicopters and come here for a photoshoot, but what happened with that flood barrier was pathetic.
“We have all this engineering prowess and we still get flooded. If the gate had stayed closed, this would not have happened. I just feel so angry.”“We have all this engineering prowess and we still get flooded. If the gate had stayed closed, this would not have happened. I just feel so angry.”
David Rudrum and Alice Brumby were pouring water out of their wellies after wading through the water to see what could be saved in their home, where wallpaper had begun peeling from  the walls.David Rudrum and Alice Brumby were pouring water out of their wellies after wading through the water to see what could be saved in their home, where wallpaper had begun peeling from  the walls.
Members of Cleveland Mountain Rescue and soldiers from 2 Battalion The Duke of Lancasters Regiment evacuating people from the Queens Hotel in York city centre as the River Ouse floods on December 27, 2015
Teams in Whalley evacuate villagers from their homes
A resident of Glenridding, which flooded for the third time this month, surveys the damage
The River Ouse, York, has burst its banks
A soldier from the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster’s regiment helps to sure up flood defences in Appleby, Cumbria, one of the areas worst affected by the floods
Experts believe the cost of clearing up the most recent flooding could exceed £50m (PA)
Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in York
A police helicopter photographed the extent of the flooding in York on 27 December.
Flooding at Clifford's Tower in York on 27 December
Flooding along York's Inner Ring Road on 27 December
Water runs out of the Lowther pub in York on 27 December after the River Ouse bursts its banks in York city centre.
“I’d like to know how the decision was made to open that gate,” Mr Rudrum said. “York has had flooding before, but the Foss never floods because it is protected by that flood barrier.”“I’d like to know how the decision was made to open that gate,” Mr Rudrum said. “York has had flooding before, but the Foss never floods because it is protected by that flood barrier.”
Jacqui Scales, 54, and her brother Philip were also trying to access the home of their mother Mavis Hildred, 86, a day after they were rescued by a mountain rescue team.Jacqui Scales, 54, and her brother Philip were also trying to access the home of their mother Mavis Hildred, 86, a day after they were rescued by a mountain rescue team.
“The water came in so quickly and soon it was running everywhere,” she said. “I just can’t believe they made the decision to open the gate. They threatened so many people’s lives. If mum had been on her own, I don’t know what she would have done.” “The water came in so quickly and soon it was running everywhere,” she said. “I just can’t believe they made the decision to open the gate. They threatened so many people’s lives. If mum had been on her own, I don’t know what she would have done.” 
Large parts of York city centre remained without power yesterday, with phone lines cut off. Long queues formed at cash machines as owners of flooded shops near York’s other flooded river, the Ouse, surveyed the damage.Large parts of York city centre remained without power yesterday, with phone lines cut off. Long queues formed at cash machines as owners of flooded shops near York’s other flooded river, the Ouse, surveyed the damage.
Crowds watched as an Army Chinook helicopter made repeated trips overhead as it airlifted supplies to the city’s beleaguered flood defences.Crowds watched as an Army Chinook helicopter made repeated trips overhead as it airlifted supplies to the city’s beleaguered flood defences.
Neil and Francesca McClure climbed down a ladder and waded across a yard at the back of their flooded four-storey home overlooking the Ouse, where they had been holed up for three days.Neil and Francesca McClure climbed down a ladder and waded across a yard at the back of their flooded four-storey home overlooking the Ouse, where they had been holed up for three days.
Mrs McClure, 31, said: “The water has started to drop, so we felt it was safe enough to come out and try to get some shopping.Mrs McClure, 31, said: “The water has started to drop, so we felt it was safe enough to come out and try to get some shopping.
“The flood has created carnage. There were no sandbags and it was a case of having to fend for ourselves. Something needs to be done. London can cope with floods, so why can’t York.”“The flood has created carnage. There were no sandbags and it was a case of having to fend for ourselves. Something needs to be done. London can cope with floods, so why can’t York.”
In Coppergate, two volunteers dressed as Vikings were turning customers away from the Jorvik Viking Centre after the electricity died. The Grand Opera House  had to cancel two performances of Jack and the Beanstalk after the orchestral pit was flooded.In Coppergate, two volunteers dressed as Vikings were turning customers away from the Jorvik Viking Centre after the electricity died. The Grand Opera House  had to cancel two performances of Jack and the Beanstalk after the orchestral pit was flooded.
Back at Huntington Road, Debbie Wood was looking across the water at the flooded house where her parents Barry and Val, who are both in their seventies, have lived for the last 30 years.Back at Huntington Road, Debbie Wood was looking across the water at the flooded house where her parents Barry and Val, who are both in their seventies, have lived for the last 30 years.
“They have had this house all these years and it has never flooded,” she said. “The River Foss never floods. Mum  is extremely angry. She feels as though they have been  sacrificed.”“They have had this house all these years and it has never flooded,” she said. “The River Foss never floods. Mum  is extremely angry. She feels as though they have been  sacrificed.”