IT was a year ago when flash floods swept through Southwell bringing chaos and destroying property.
Twelve months on and residents are still living with the damage, as preparations continue to prevent further disasters.
Forty-seven-year-old victim Dave Sheard of Crafts Way remembers the day vividly.
He said : "I was out for a run with my dog and there was a massive thunderclap. I had to chase after him as he ran off into the distance - it was a premonition.
"We had put flood boards across the front of our garage but the water outside just kept rising until it came in the house."
Mr Sheard said 10 inches of rain made it into his home causing around £40,000 worth of damages.
After a year long battle with his insurers, most of the ground floor of his house is still in ruin.
Around 100 homes were hit during on July, 23 with three inches of rain falling in the space of two hours.
It is estimated the cost of the damages came to around £9million.
Following the flood Mr Shear, among many others, joined the newly formed Southwell Flood Forum a group built in the wake of last year's events.
Over the past year the group has trained 60 flood marshals to provide support and advice to the community in the event of more torrential rainfall.
In addition, it has secured permission to put up road blocks, with more than 40 of its marshals trained to do so.
The group is now patiently awaiting the outcome of a £1.85million government grant-in-aid bid to build further mitigation defences.
This will include contributions from the Southwell community, Nottinghamshire County Council and Southwell Town Council, among other sources.
Forum vice-chairman Jacky Huson said: "A lot of us are still coping with what happened but this has given us a focus to do something positive.
"We think we've got a compelling case for funding, we're confident we can keep up the energy - the bit we don't know is if the people in power can come up with the goods.
Rob Fisher, Nottinghamshire County Council's Group Manager for Emergency Planning, has been working closely with the forum.
He said: "What has happened in Southwell provides a tremendous example to other communities.
"I would recommend what other flood risk communities would look at what Southwell has achieved and set to achieve in the future."
