WHEN the amber weather alert came on Friday Monmouth residents were worried but not at panic stations - after all they had seen it all before. By Saturday morning the town was reeling from the effects of Storm Claudia which had send torrents of muddy water raging through its streets.

As I arrived on the scene on Saturday morning the town felt eerily empty filled with a strange quietness that made the usual bustle feel far away.

Thick silt covered pavements, and shopfronts and the lingering smell of muddy river water lingered in the air.

Heartbreaking scenes unfolded across the high street as local businesses began the slow process of cleaning up what they had worked so hard to build. The air was filled with the rhythmic sound of brushes hitting the ground as people began to mop up and the white noise of the pumps as they worked to clear the water.

Walking through Monmouth the town felt heavy - alive with effort but weighed down by the aftermath of the storm its carried a heartbreaking burden. Residents put on strong faces as they pushed through to clean up what the storm had brought to their homes and businesses.

Through it all local dignitaries, and volunteers showed incredible support, with residents donating clothes, blankets, and essential items to the centre set up at Monmouth Methodist Church with evacuated residents given refuge at Monmouth Leisure Centre.

A fundraising page set up by the Mayor of Monmouth, Councillor Jackie Atkin to help raise money for residents affected by the floods has at the time of writing reached almost £80,000 with support coming from all over the country

Through the devastation the Monmouth community is clearly on the road to recovery, the teamwork of residents prove that despite that unforgettable night, each day sees Monmouth slowly putting itself back together.