"The situation is dire, but the community really is pulling together with a fantastic spirit." These were the words of Michelle Harris, who has been co-ordinating The Salvation Army's relief efforts in flood-hit Tewkesbury.
"When the rains started on Friday, we were called out to the [Salvation Army] hall... and we found ourselves stranded here, unable to get home," she said.
Tewkesbury, at the confluence of the rivers Avon and Severn has been one of the areas most severely affected by Friday's unprecedented rainfall.
The rivers burst their banks, leaving large areas underwater and cutting off the town entirely.
Scott Baddeley was returning home to Hereford from a holiday in Brean Sands with his two young sons Alex and Elliott.
"When the rain came down, the traffic was horrendous - gridlock. I found myself trying to cross the Mythe Bridge in Tewkesbury at about 4 o'clock on Friday, and there was just no way it was going to happen. I parked up, and phoned around for a hotel where we stayed for the first night.
"The hotels were all very expensive though, so I decided we'd have to sleep in the car the next night. The town was cut off, so we couldn't get home. When we got back to the car, I noticed that I'd parked right outside The Salvation Army. They invited us in, and have taken care of us ever since."
The Salvation Army's hall in Tewkesbury has been open 24 hours a day since the flooding hit. It has become a focal point in the community, offering food, drinks, a place to sit down and sleep, and crucially, a place to share experiences.
"Actually, it's been great here," said Mr Baddeley. "We've been given sleeping bags and all our meals - it's been a bit of a party! My boys have both enjoyed being able to play games and table tennis - the older one is treating it as a big adventure, but the younger one is missing his cat.
