Sandbags used to protect storm-hit homes

Water submerged streets, gardens and properties across the Black Country and Staffordshire, causing thousands of pounds of damage over the weekend.

One family who were affected badly by the flooding in South Staffordshire said today they "dread the daily weather forecast" after revealing it was the eighth time they have been affected in the last 10 years.

Click here to see more flooding pictures.

Sara and David Smith, of Severn Drive, Perton, were at home on Saturday night when the road outside started to flood.

The water made the road impassable before spilling down on to the front lawns of a handful of properties, and flooding the homes yet again. Carpets have had to be taken up at some properties and insurance claims made because of the damage.

Sara, aged 37, and David, who is 40, rent their property from South Staffordshire Housing Association and say they do not know where to turn next. "We've contacted Severn Trent and local councillors because we think the drainage isn't up to it at all," she said.

"This is the eighth time in the last 10 years. I had to get some emergency sandbags on Saturday night and put them in front of the house to stop it from coming in.

"It's a total nightmare, we are living in constant fear of the weather forecast because we are scared of being flooded. The weekend was awful," she added.

The storms saw rain water crash through the back gardens of houses in Perkins Close, Coseley. It flooded straight through the homes causing damage to carpets, wood flooring, electrics and kitchen cupboards.

Water had run from a nearby industrial yard that backs on to residents' gardens causing it to drain into the houses.

Murial Gwilt, aged 72, who has lived in the road for 36 years, said she had just had new drains put in her garden following a similar flood a few months ago. "Water was coming under the door as the new drains were just full to the brim," she said.