MONMOUTH residents say they haven’t seen floods so bad since 1979, after violent Storm Claudia swept through the area, leaving homes damaged, roads blocked and communities without power.

The Monmouthshire Beacon spoke to residents who were severely affected by Storm Claudia, destroying their homes and taking away some of their most memorable items.

Gary Raymond, resident in Monmouth and business owner, was affected by the floods in Monmouth, and confirms how devastated he is after having to remove everything from his house.

“The house was completely gutted. We’ve had to throw everything out on the ground floor. We’ve had to rip out all the furniture, the cupboards, skirting boards, and take the floor up.

“Everything's gone really.”

One Monmouth resident who was concerned about how quickly the water rose, Jane Anderson was left in shock and worry as her home was completely affected by the weather.

“I have to move out of my house for about four months while the house is dried out, and rewired, along with a new kitchen and bathroom as well.

“I was in shock, I was horrified.”

Within minutes after Jane was speaking to her brother, she saw water emerging through her door, frightened about what was going to happen.

One resident, Kim Kaos was among one of the first people to spot the rising water. Watching from his window, he took photos to document the flooding to raise awareness of the scale.

“I just saw this wall of water rushing down the street, it was like you were having a nightmare.”

After just restoring brand new carpets and restoring his home, another Monmouth resident, Neil Muir was devastated to find his home he worked so hard on had been severely affected.

“I’ve owned the property for about 14 to 15 years and have never seen floods like this before.

“The community have been amazing, and the emergency services deserve a medal.”

Another person agreed they had never seen floods so bad in their experience in Monmouth. Among many other residents who had been majorly devastated to walk back into their homes turned upside down.

“The water started coming through the door and by 3am it was over the counters. I was worried because we live around a lot of vulnerable people,” said Calvin.

“I was born and raised in Monmouth and I’ve never seen anything so bad.”

A landlord for a local tenant in Monmouth emphasises his devastation about the flooding impact it had on his house in Monmouth and the affect it has had on his tenant who was evacuated with his children, but the landlord Philip relocated them to a safer place at another one of his properties.

The tenant said he was woken up at 1.30am to the sight of flashing lights and sirens and looking out of his window he saw his car three feet deep with water. Two firefighters and one of his neighbours helped him evacuate.

“I got my kids ready as quickly as I could, my youngest didn’t even have shoes I just carried him.”

After his sister looked after his children, he attempted to go back to the property to find the water had already risen to the door and devastated to find 80 per cent of his belongings lost to the storm.

“My landlord has been brilliant, we’re making headway and I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.”