FLOODING: More than 65 residents took shelter at Rotherham Town Hall

Emergency services picked up dozens of residents from Parkgate, which was one of Rotherham’s worst-hit spots.

Rotherham Council leader Cllr Chris Read said: “As always the people of Rotherham have pulled together. 

“The response of council staff and other public services who worked through the night to minimise disruption and ensure vulnerable residents were safe has been first rate.

“The town hall was opened up as a rest centre shortly after midnight, primarily to accommodate people rescued from Parkgate.

“In total, 67 people either stayed overnight or sought assistance, all of whom have now returned home or to another place of safety.”

Cllr Read thanked RMBC workers who volunteered to staff rest centres to ensure people’s safety.

He added: “I know that many people have been thinking back to the significant flooding that we saw in 2007.

“It is notable that the river levels registered last night were actually higher than 12 years ago but overall, to date, the impact has been slightly less, which is testament to the work that has been done since then.”