Regulars stranded overnight in Suffolk pub in Storm Henk

There was no way in and out of the village of Somersham, near Ipswich, leaving regulars at the Duke of Marlborough pub cut off overnight between Thursday, January 4 and Friday, January 5.

Aaron Douglas, who runs the pub with his wife April, said he had "never seen this" in his 18 years in hospitality.

Mr Douglas said: "We had about 15 to 20 of our regulars in here because they could not get home. 

"Every route into the village and out of the village was blocked, and even the bigger cars struggled. 

"In my whole career working in pubs, I have never had to do this. My wife was finishing up at around 10.30pm and people started coming back, so we thought we couldn't do anything about it.

READ MORE: Live updates as Suffolk roads flooded after torrential rain

"Some managed to sleep like they were in an airport; others were worried as they had left their pets at home."

After putting a call-out on their social pages for blankets, those who could travel to the pub were delivering sleeping bags and air-beds for people, as late as 2am.

Elsewhere in the county, schools were closed and flood warnings for overflowing rivers put in place, as fire crews responded to emergencies and people became stuck in cars.

Drivers have attempted to make their way through the floods, but have become stuck on their routes.

On Friday, Suffolk Fire and Rescue responded to reports of a man stuck in a vehicle in deep flood water in Upend, near Newmarket.

A service spokesperson said that the crews rescued a 57-year-old man from his vehicle by around 9.50am.

One Anglian Water driver was forced to abandon their van in Wash Lane in Combs Ford, near Stowmarket. 
 

A van was stuck in floods near Stowmarket. (Image: Contributed)

The road has been left impassable due to heavy flooding (Image: Contributed)

In north Suffolk, Wickham Road from Finningham to Wickham Skeith became blocked by flood water, a car, and a lorry on Friday.

The flood water was so deep that water came over the wheels of both the trapped vehicles, with the lorry leaning dangerously to the side. 

Vehicles trapped in flood water. (Image: Andrew Chaplin)

Met Office records show occasional highs of 16-32mm of rainfall an hour across the county, between 7pm and 11.15pm.

In Needham Market, Flordon Road became impassable as a result of days of extreme rainfall. 

Cars were abandoned in Needham Market on Friday. (Image: Ian Currie)

Resident Peter Groom says more should be done to clear out ditches in the area to improve drainage.

The resident lives in Foxglove Avenue, which has repeatedly been affected by heavy rainfall.

During Storm Babet in October, homes on the street were flooded and nearby roads left impassable, and the 80-year-old tackled the water with a wooden board to move floodwater into drains. 

Mr Groom said: "I live up at the top of Foxglove Avenue. This time, it wasn't as bad as the storm in October (Babet), when the water was up to Hargrave Avenue and we were sweeping it with a board and trying to keep it away from the houses.

"This time, there was just a notice in the road asking drivers to slow down. 

Needham Market resident Peter Groom (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"I have lived here since the 1970s and it has been a problem for all these years. We need people to clean out the ditches.

"Needham Lake overflows when there's heavy rainfall. It can get two or three feet deep."

Suffolk County Council, which is responsible for maintaining the road network, was approached for comment.

A spokesperson for Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils said that residents should be aware that a range of help is available for those affected by flooding, particularly if they are at risk of homelessness as a result of flooding or need urgent help with the clean-up. 

Affected residents should visit their website for more information on preparing for a flood, reporting one, and what to do afterwards: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/flooding-information.