WATCH: 'Everything is ruined' - Residents distraught as homes flooded in Wolverhampton
'Distraught' residents have spoken of how they discovered their homes were flooded after torrential rain struck across the Black Country.
The deluge of water fell from around 3pm on Wednesday, following a dry and sunny spell that had started the previous day.
The water hammered down for at least two hours, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to homes across the region.
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Noreen Wilkes and John Wilkes, aged 75 and 76, were in their home in Wolverhampton when the rain fell.
"I have arthritis and so I have limited mobility. I was sat with my legs and feet in the water for quite some time." Mrs Wilkes said.
"It started hammering it down when we were sat at the dining table, then I noticed it had flooded the porch.
"Within the blink of an eye it seemed to have risen to our shins, pumping through our kitchen and living room."
The couple, who have lived in the council-owned property on Woodstock Road, East Park, for around 44 years, said they had never seen anything like it.
Linda Lovatt, aged 45, of Castlecroft, daughter of Mr and Mrs Wilkes said: "I can down here at around 5.15pm and it was dreadful.
"Everything is ruined, all the carpets, the kitchen appliances. They've got no electric.
"When mum and dad tried to call the council they couldn't get through, and when I called them they sent people for the highways repair rather than people to fix the electricity in the house."
Mark Lovatt, husband of Linda, aged 45, brought his pond pump with him to help clear out some of the water.
"I couldn't believe it when I got here. The water was at least a couple of inches high. I struggled to find a socket that worked to try and pump it out. Not only that, but the water is so dirty that it's going to need a lot of cleaning before they can properly live here again."
Neighbour Hayley Jarvis, aged 38, has also been devastated by the floods.
She said: "I was bringing my son back from a restaurant when I opened the door and it was like a river running inside my house.
"Flood water just pumped out of it. I'm so glad I wasn't in when it happened otherwise I wouldn't have known what to do.
"I'm distraught I really am. The worst part is I had just finished decorating downstairs and was looking to do the hall, stairs and landing. I'm glad I didn't bother now.
"The floor in my living room is really sentimental, I've had it down for the 14 years since I moved in and now it's all going to have to come up because of the water damage and the smell.
"Even my garden is ruined, the bins were thrown about in the rain and everything is just sodden all the way through."
Miss Jarvis, who has three children, two of which - Isabella-May aged 3 and Callum aged 16 - live in the house, said the damage has already had an effect on them.
"All the baby's toys are destroyed downstairs. It's not safe for them to be here. I'm lucky that I have such supportive parents and friends to help me, it's just overwhelming at the moment."
Michael Jarvis, aged 65, father of Hayley said: "I've just been trying to sweep away all the water the best I can. Just when I think I've made progress though I keep finding more and more damage."
The news comes as the flash floods caused chaos on the roads and trains across the West Midlands, even pouring through the roof of Wolverhampton's Wulfrun Centre.
Have you been affected by the floods? Let us know by getting in touch at newsdesk@expressandstar.co.uk or by calling 01902 319410.
