Xeric Ltd, which is part of the Sturton by Stow-based Gelder Group, started the week deluged with phone calls from householders and companies, whose premises have been left submerged in dirty water due to unprecedented flooding.

The heartbreaking floods have not only forced people out of swamped homes into temporary accommodation, disrupting their everyday lives, including schooling, childcare and work arrangements. Some have even had to rehouse pets.

Unfortunately the majority of families will not actually get back into their properties and refurnish them in time for Christmas.  There are also warnings more heavy rainfall is on its way increasing the number of homes and businesses affected.

Whilst Scotland repeatedly made the headlines due to the extent of flooding in that area, and the imminent risk to lives, few other parts of the country escaped until last week. More than 1,000 properties in Chesterfield had to be evacuated and Nottinghamshire suffered extensive flooding. In addition, many commuters have been faced with travel disruption.

Xeric Ltd Head of Business Development Norman Howie said: “On Monday, we were inundated with claims from homes and businesses. Insurance companies were also quick to get in touch and ask if our fleet of high-energy drying vehicles and kit – which have the capacity to deal with multiple properties in one location simultaneously – were ready for immediate despatch.

“We have the ability to dry out a property within seven to 10 days, using our unique high energy drying equipment, whereas the traditional industrial dehumidifiers can take up to 6 weeks and need electricity and struggle to work efficiently in temperatures below five degrees centigrade. Our equipment solves the problem in a fraction of the time getting people back into their homes before Christmas.

“We are proud of our ability to swiftly help families and businesses and hope more insurers will take advantage of our service,” added Mr Howie.

When Storm Desmond struck Cockermouth in Cumbria in December 2015, Xeric Ltd embarked on its largest single project to date – involving the high-energy drying of 36 homes in a large cul-de-sac.

Splitting the work into three phases the companies simultaneously dried 12 properties at a time over just five weeks.

The entire street had been devastated, with cars washed away and the surviving Christmas decorations reminding everyone of the importance of getting the restoration work done as efficiently as possible, in order to speed-up the claims process for devastated residents.

Swift action allowed building reinstatement works to get underway much quicker than if a conventional drying method had been used. Ultimately the fast response reduced the cost of the claim and allowed policyholders to return home sooner.

The scene at many homes across the country today