The big mop-up

Mainly dry weather was forecast but the Met Office predicted rain early next week and the Environment Agency has issued more flood warnings.

Severe flood alerts were in force for the Uckfield area, the Ouse at Lewes and the River Cuckmere from Hellingly to Shermans Bridge.

The clean-up and repair bill for Sussex is expected to run into billions of pounds.

Countryside Minister Elliot Morley, while making no promise of emergency funds, has told councils to apply for extra grants.

Roads were beginning to drain but some were still closed on Saturday morning, including the A281 at Shermanbury and Henfield; the Cuilfail Tunnel and Cliffe area streets in Lewes.

Rail services will be disrupted for several days. Ballast was washed away at Lewes and Etchingham, leaving track suspended. Signals have been damaged and some track remained under water on Friday night.

Railtrack said they were working "flat-out" but it would be several days before services returned to normal. No trains would be running through Lewes for some time.

Large pumps were being brought in to Lewes and police and council officers advised most residents not to return to their flooded homes.

Rest centres at Lewes Town Hall and the Malling Community Centre continued offering meals and telephone facilities, and showers were available at Lewes Leisure Centre.

Most of the 300 evacuees have been housed with friends and relatives or at local hotels.

Tools and materials for cleaning up homes and streets are being provided from collection points in each area. Skips for flood-damaged material are also being provided.

A council spokesman said: "We hope most residents will be able to clean up their homes themselves but if you are elderly or disabled there will be clean-up teams available."

The council has warned people flood water might be contaminated with sewage, diesel and petrol and has urged people to wear protective clothing and wellingtons.

People needing housing advice were told to call 01273 320202 this weekend and 01273 471600 Monday to Friday.

The council asked for volunteers to house 30 BT engineers who would be working to restore services in Lewes from Monday. Call 01273 484255 or 01273 484256.

The National Federation of Builders urged people to beware of "cowboy" builders offering to carry out repairs and advised people to get estimates in writing and references.

Sussex Police warned people not to wade through water because manhole covers had been dislodged. A spokeswoman said: "You can fall into them or stumble in fast-flowing water, leading to serious injury or worse."

Many homes are still without power. Electricity firm Seeboard said it hoped to restore all supplies by early next week.

Meanwhile, more stories have emerged from the flooding.

One of the six operating theatres at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, was still closed yesterday after rain poured in through a leaking roof.

Contractors were called in immediately to erect a temporary roof and patients were either moved to other theatres or had their operations cancelled.

A massive mopping up operation was under way in Uckfield, Lewes and other flood-hit towns and villages.

An air of disbelief filled Lewes Town Hall, where dozens slept after being evacuated from their homes when the lower part of the town vanished under the water.

Many had no time to save any possessions and had only the clothes they stood in.

Two men who had to abandon their 450-year-old cottages told how they used a boat to rescue others.

Chris Webb, 54, said: "We are all amazed by the volume of water. We thought we were only going to have a couple of feet.

"My house got 4ft in half an hour. I collect long-case clocks and have left seven grandfather clocks floating in my house. My car and my wife's are under water as is an AC Cobra kit-car which I built."

His friend and neighbour Bill Colliston, 34, watched as both his greengrocery business and house were flooded.

He said: "I have lost tons of fruit and vegetables. It will all be floating around, rotting.

"It is not so much the money. I am insured but that will not cover it. The clean-up will have to huge and I hope we get some help with it."

Evacuee Cecile Graham, 84, said: "We were told to expect the worst at high tide and in about 20 minutes the water was up to my chest.

"I tried to save things by using my table, which was floating, as a makeshift raft to ferry books and lamps upstairs.

"I couldn't ring anyone for help because my telephone was under water.

"Fortunately, some men in a rubber dinghy came and got me but I didn't have time to bring anything.

"All I have with me is the clothes I am wearing. Heaven knows what the house is like. I don't think we shall be back in our houses until after the weekend. My son is coming down to look after me."

In Uckfield, businessman Christopher Macklin could only watch as floods devastated his warehouse just two days after it reopened following a fire.

Refurbishment work at Trading-4-U only finished on Tuesday after an electrical fault sparked a blaze five weeks ago.

Mr Macklin, 50, said: "It's heartbreaking really. I'm still in the process of sorting the insurance claim for the fire and now I have got this as well.

"I have lost all my Christmas stock as well as fireworks and Hallowe'en goods. I doubt very much I will be able to get any more stock in now."