Praise for Suffolk residents, farmers, 4x4 owners, volunteers, blue light responders, teachers and council staff following Storm Babet.

Praise is being heaped on Suffolk residents, farmers, 4x4 owners, volunteers, blue light responders, teachers and council staff for the way they dealt with the floods caused by Storm Babet.

Community leaders have expressed their gratitude for the many acts of heroism and community spirit that helped children get home from school, residents move to safety and protect buildings from the floods. Firefighters alone attended more than 600 incidents.

But Friday and the weekend also saw farmers in tractors and 4x4 drivers wading through flood water to rescue people, council and community volunteers setting up safe and warm rest centres for stranded residents, blue light responders battling through the elements to reach 999 callers and highways staff pumping water away from flooded roads.

Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s leader, said: “Whilst some communities were relatively unscathed by Storm Babet, the destruction and disruption it has caused in many areas of Suffolk cannot be underestimated.

“I would like to thank the blue light services, highways and council staff for their hard work in such difficult circumstances. I would also like to commend the farmers and 4x4 owners who rushed to the aid of stranded children and residents and brought them to safety. But most of all, I wish to thank Suffolk’s wonderful volunteers and members of the community, who stepped up and helped each other. They demonstrated a truly special quality inherent in the people of Suffolk.

“There is of course a lot more to do over coming weeks and months to support those who have been badly impacted, but I am confident that Suffolk’s community-spirit and commitment will help to get us through.”

Councillor Caroline Topping, leader of East Suffolk Council, said: “The impacts of Storm Babet have been felt right across East Suffolk and I am incredibly grateful to the emergency services for the way they responded to affected communities.

“I also want to thank my council colleagues and local volunteers who have gone above and beyond to take care of people who have been displaced, and are now tackling a mammoth clear-up task which may yet take some time.

“Everyone has pulled together and this really is Suffolk at its best.”

Councillor Cliff Waterman, leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “I want to thank everyone for the response to Storm Babet over the past few days. That includes all our communities, in particularly in Hepworth where I know a number of homes were badly flooded and where my fellow councillor Carol Bull and the parish council have been working to help those affected.

“It is also a thank you to all those who have checked in on neighbours across other parts of West Suffolk left without power as a result of the storm damage.

“A big thank you to all in the emergency services who alongside the county and district councils, have been busy working to keep people safe over the past few days. Our work isn’t done though, and our focus has now switched to clearing up the debris to help our communities return to normality. We are also continuing to liaise and be ready to support a small number of households who have had to leave their homes because of flood damage.”

Councillor Andy Mellen, Mid Suffolk District Council leader, said: “These are the worst floods we have seen in our district for many years, but we have also seen the best of our communities.

“People have helped each other, we saw farmers using tractors to help schoolchildren and stranded motorists in Debenham and many other places, the local leisure centre staff provided an overnight rest centre for those forced from their homes. Teachers and school staff ensured the safety of children when the flooding hit on Friday afternoon and roads became impassable. There were many more examples.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone, plus to our emergency services, council teams, fellow councillors and town and parish councils for being there for our communities.”

Councillor John Ward, Babergh District Council acting leader, said: “The spirit shown by our communities in response to these floods has been magnificent. In those areas hardest hit, people rallied day and night – for example, there was a rapid local response in Long Melford on Friday night when Chad Brook burst its banks.

“There have been many other examples of community spirit and kindness, and I would like to say thank you all those people who stepped up to help others during the crisis. I also want to say thank you to our emergency services, council staff, councillors and town and parish councils for working tirelessly throughout the weekend.”

Councillor Neil MacDonald, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, says: “I would like to express my appreciation to all residents and emergency service responders who swiftly and efficiently handled the fallout from Storm Babet.

“I am also grateful for our communities, who came together to support and offer aid to their neighbours. The quick actions and cooperation ensured that the situation was managed effectively.”

Police and crime commissioner for Suffolk, Tim Passmore, said: “I am truly heartened by the wonderful support the people of Suffolk have given to those who have found themselves in difficulty or distress because of the terrible floods we have experienced.

“My thanks go to all those who volunteered to help, and of course all those people in the emergency services, local councils and other public sector agencies and charities who collectively worked closely together in the name of public service. While the past few days must have been very alarming for many, it is extremely reassuring to see the communities of Suffolk pulling together so well once again in a time of need.”

Jon Lacey, Suffolk’s chief fire officer, said: “Suffolk Fire and Rescue received thousands of calls for help during Storm Babet and our fire fighters worked tirelessly to rescue people who needed our help. The way partners in the Suffolk Resilience Forum came together – alongside members of the community – meant Suffolk rose to the challenge. On behalf of the forum, I’d like to say an enormous thank you.”

Deputy chief constable Rob Jones from Suffolk Constabulary, said: “It has been a huge collective effort by members of the Suffolk Resilience Forum over the past few days to ensure the people of Suffolk were supported where necessary – their courage, professionalism, sense of community and compassion has shone through. This compassion has also been reflected in the wider community who have also shown great kindness and generosity in coming to the aid of those in need. My thoughts also go to those who have sustained property damage because of the flood waters and I hope they are receiving the help and support they will continue to need in the coming weeks.”

The clean-up operation is already underway across Suffolk with street cleaning, debris removal and property clearance. The five district and borough councils are working to help residents and business to recover from the impact of the floods. Information is already available on their websites and further details will be released in the coming days.

The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, said: “The storm has wreaked havoc across our county, beyond what any of us could have anticipated.

“My heart goes out to those whose homes have been flooded and ruined, including many homes and businesses flooded in several communities around our county and I have had reports from clergy in several places including Debenham, Framlingham, Mendlesham, Needham Market and Lavenham.

“Homes and businesses will take a long time to dry out and understandably, given the unprecedented nature of these storms, a number of people will not have flood insurance.

“The damage to property, both homes and vehicles, as well as to farm land, is extensive.

“I know our churches are rallying round, including those that have been flooded themselves, to help out those who have been so terribly affected.

“Communities have been incredible, local business providing hot food. Our farmers have been out, helping people stuck in their vehicles, once again the people of Suffolk are reaching out and providing practical and emotional support for neighbours in need.”

The Rt Rev Mike Harrison, Bishop of Dunwich who lives at Mendlesham near Stowmarket, was among those whose homes were flooded.

He said: “The floods came on with shocking speed and some of the worst if not the worst flood devastation in decades.

“We ourselves were deluged in our home and are deeply grateful as are others for the generosity and kindness of neighbours offering help and providing emergency accommodation for my family.

“It is heartening to see the solidarity and empathy at work across our Suffolk communities at this time - whether providing shelter, food or practical assistance the neighbourliness is so encouraging to see.”