Residents have taken part in a heated debate following Redcar flooding following damage sustained in the area, brought about by heavy rains earlier this month.

Taking place on September 6th, food waters rose as high as 18 inches in some parts of the north-east town, causing serious damage to many buildings, the Northern Echo reports.

As a result, more than 100 people packed the Coatham Road Social Club where the council meeting was held last night (September 19th) to vent their anger at the lack of response from Northumbrian Water and also calling for action to be taken to ensure this extent of flooding in the area cannot happen again in the future.

Local resident John Taylor of New Marske, near Redcar stated at the meeting: “We are told that speed is of the essence but the problem was that when the heavy rain came, people were unable to get in touch with Northumbrian Water.

“What sort of response is it when you have got people whose homes are getting flooded and they can’t get through to anybody?”

Indeed, the rain was so heavy earlier this month that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in the area was alerted to a number of vehicles being washed out to sea.

It all points to the need for considerable investment in flood defences in the area, something representatives from Northumbrian Water and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council stated would now be considered.

Homeowners who are keen to ensure their property is protected from flooding are advised by the Environment Agency to carry out a number of simple steps to block flood waters entering their property, including the use of sandbags and landscaping grounds to direct waters elsewhere.

According to the government department, more than five million people live in flood risk areas across the UK, so taking out insurance for flood risk areas from GSI Insurance Services (Southern) Limited could be a sensible move for many.