A BOROUGH councillor has spoken of her anger and disappointment, saying Thurrock Council and its housing contractor Mears turned their back on residents in need following damaged wreaked by Storm Eunice.

There were numerous incidents across the borough yesterday during and in the wake of the storm, several of which were reported on Nub News during the afternoon and evening.

One of the most dramatic incidents was at the tower block flats in Chadwell St Mary where garage roofs were blown off,. The damage was caught on video and featured on Nub News.

Chadwell Labour councillor Sara Muldowney spent much of yesterday speaking with residents and reporting damage to the council and she was keen to stress that there were many good responses, but she was angered by the lack of response to the garage roofs scenario.

She told Nub News this morning (Saturday, 19 February): "I want to thank all those frontline council workers who spent much of yesterday working to clear fallen trees and other debris in, often, dangerous conditions.

"It is, however, disappointing that Thurrock Council hadn't planned better and put resources in place to deal with the impact of the storm."

"In one particularly distressing case, a couple living in a bedsit flat were using a garage at Chadwell flats, to store their belongings. The storm ripped the roof from the garages leaving their belongings open to the elements."

"Despite the residents, and me, pleading with the council, they have refused to help in any way. They won't allow them to remove their possessions - presumably on safety grounds - and won't help by even providing a tarpaulin to give some protection."

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"I am shocked that, given we are forecast to have more heavy rain today, the council is prepared to see this couple's precious belongings ruined. It is heartless of the council hierarchy and contrasts really poorly with the great work done by many of our front line workers."