THE Prime Minister toured flood-hit areas yesterday as hundreds of troops were deployed to aid defences.
Boris Johnson pledged more must be done to prevent a repeat of the crisis but bore the brunt of frustration from some residents.
After visiting the villages of Stainforth and Fishlake in South Yorks, Mr Johnson declared: In the long-term you have just got to be putting in flood defences.
Since 2010 there has been a huge amount allocated to flood defences but its plain we are going to have to do more. I perfectly understand how people feel and you can understand the anguish a flood causes.
The shock of seeing your property engulfed by water is huge and also the anxiety of what may still be to come and I do thank the emergency services for everything they are doing.
His official 4×4 was used to bring supplies to Fishlake, under 3ft of water, after residents pleaded for help. The PM said: If I can be of use to you, I will.
But some villagers demanded to know why aid had not arrived sooner. Shelly Beniston told him: Its been a real struggle. Weve had no authorities helping us. We didnt know where to start. We just used common sense basically. Mr Johnson replied: Im very sorry about that.
In a pub he discussed flood plans with regulars. One man shook his hand and said: Help these people out. They definitely need it. Well done, Boris.
Soldiers from the Light Dragoons and 2 Royal Anglian will back civil authorities battling heavy flooding around Doncaster after the Don burst its banks. Officials said they would be filling and shifting sandbags.
But they could also be drafted into going door to door warning residents in high-risk flood areas.
They may also assist in evacuation missions. Following yesterday mornings deployment, a further 200 personnel will be put on high readiness, should they be needed.
Britain is braced for another 2in of rain amid warnings of further devastation. More than 100 flood warnings and alerts are in place and the Met Office issued a yellow warning for the region for today.
