In the wake of the past week's substantial flooding which saw houses in Tilbury under water and many roads blocked by surface water, residents and councillors are expressing concern about Thurrock Council's ability to protect residential areas.

Homes in Tilbury were left under water, with carpets and furniture ruined when the adjacent street and alley drainage system was unable to cope.

One of the worst affected areas was Hume Avenue and the video with this story shows the inside of one of the flooded homes as well as blocked drains.

Though the council deployed sandbags to help, in some areas residents were unable to keep the water at bay and now they face insurance claims mounting into thousands.

There were similar fears of flooding in areas of Stanford-le-Hope, though in the end no homes were affected as water was kept at bay – again thanks to a small deployment of sandbags from the council. However, some garden and patio areas on homes adjacent to waterways were under water.

Residents were watchful of rising waters in Stanford.

Thurrock Council has almost been in denial mode and, despite reported incidents last weekend, has played down its responsibility.

A statement said: "Council Highways officers attended some issues of localised flooding that were caused by the heavy rain. Officers supplied sandbags to protect properties.

"It is considered that the flooding was the result of the surface water network becoming overwhelmed due to the volume of rain, rather than highways issues. Thurrock Council is not responsible for maintenance of the broader network."

More flooding followed during the passing of the tail end of Storm Ciarán and the Met Office has warned that further substantial rainfall may have a big impact because "The ground is saturated in many areas".

Several councillors have contacted the authority to express their concerns.

Among them is Tilbury's John Allen who said: "My concerns and fear about flooding through surface water build-up on local roads in Tilbury is long known.

"Drains on roads and alleys in many parts of the town are not fit for purpose and are full of material. They simply don't work because they are not being maintained and this past week we saw the outcome of that, with homes in the town under water. That's simply not good enough from this council."

A blocked drain in Tilbury.

Another Tilbury councillor, Steve Liddiard, also expressed his concern - and has trevalled that the town no longer has a flood warning facility - and the council is unsurfe what happened to it or what to do!

He said: "I have been concerned about Tilbury flooding for several years.

"I have been enquiring about the flood warnbing, only to be told the following: 'A review of the demolition instruction for the fire station has revealed that the flood warning siren was removed but at this stage of the internal service review we have yet to uncover what replacement cover was put in place. The Tilbury team are now making contact with the Council's Emergency Planning Team and the Environment Agency to get this information'. "

And in Stanford-le-Hope – where there are fears that recent local housebuilding has changed the natural waterflow – Stanford West ward councillor Neil Speight says residents are having to live with the fear of flooding, with very little assurance coming from the council.

He said: "Though we escaped somewhat lightly in the past week, and I am grateful for officers who did arrange to dump some sandbags for the Runnymede Road area, the fear is real.

"I am not convinced that the surface water drainage system on local roads is capable of coping because the natural waterways themselves are now problematic as they have not been dredged or cleared and that is stopping the natural flow of water away from homes.

"I have raised deep concerns about the impact of the Persimmon estate and the problems I and residents believe it has created, and the unfinished Stanford Hope estate at the back of Victoria Road is another worry.

"To be honest, some officers have recognised the problems, but have abdicated responsibility saying that as it's linked to the Thames at Mucking it's a job for the Environment Agency or the Port of London. They appear to be wrangling over cost!

"Others are more forthright and say that the authority no longer has the resources available to mount an effective surface water flooding defence. An officer described his job as 'trying to spin plates'. It's another sad consequence of the financial strife that has made this a moribund and ineffective council."