Plans for an updated £13M flood defence scheme in Morpeth have been pushed forward after last weekend’s torrential rain caused the worst flooding in the area for 40 years.

In Northumberland residents had to recused by boat as floods shut off roads Photo: Brin Pinzgauer

Northumberland was one of the worst hit by the floods when the River Wansbeck burst its banks on Saturday, causing damage to more than 1,000 properties and leading to the evacuation of about 400 residents in Morpeth.

The Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service had to rescue more than 110 people by boat as the river reached its highest level for 40 years.

The Environment Agency said a prolonged drenching from slow-moving storm clouds gave the area a month’s rain – up to 140mm – in a couple of hours.

Floods recovery minister, John Healey, visited residents and emergency staff and announced the Government will operate the Bellwin scheme, which provides emergency financial assistance from Government to local authorities to meet the costs of an emergency or disaster.

The Association of British Insurers says the damage is likely to cost tens of millions of pounds to fix. The Environment Agency is to lead an inquiry into the flooding and a spokesman said it is considering bringing forward work on the new flood defence scheme.

The project was due to start in 2010/11 but may be brought forward depending on the availability of funding.

Castle Morpeth Borough Council and Northumberland County Council began their recovery and restoration plan on Tuesday with teams cleaning debris from the streets and pumping water, and highways offices assessing the damage to roads and bridges.

At the height of the heavy rainfall there were more than 40 flood warnings issued across the country. Up to 100 homes were flooded in North Tyneside, while in South Wales flooding was mainly due to surface water not draining properly.

By Wednesday there were 14 flood warnings and 33 flood watches in place with the River Ouse at York in particular risk, and persistent and locally heavy rainfall expected in Cornwall, west Wales and Cumbria. At least eight people lost their lives across the country in weather-related incidents.