Clean-up at Kidsgrove dog charity after 'terrifying' flood

Clean-up at dog charity after 'terrifying' flood Image caption, Assistant manager Sarah Partridge said a "deluge" of water flooded the kennels By Liz Copper in Kidsgrove Published 2 hours ago A clean-up is under way at a dog rescue charity in north Staffordshire after its kennels flooded during Storm Austen. Greyhound Gap, near Kidsgrove, cares for nearly 50 dogs, but 15 had to be evacuated and moved to other kennels on Friday. Storm Austen was the first named storm of the season, leaving thousands of homes without power , downing trees and disrupting travel across parts of England and Wales. "It was just like a deluge came off the field behind us - it was mud and water," said Sarah Partridge, assistant manager. "The staff were fantastic, grabbing dogs, putting them on vehicles, moving them into spare kennels as best we could - but we just couldn't clear the water, it was just terrifying at the time." The charity is appealing for donations of money and food and any local tradespeople who could help with repairs. Image source, Greyhound Gap Image caption, Fifteen dogs were moved from the kennels "We've got the cost of living crisis that everybody is suffering with, but we've got the vet bills, we've got the electricity, we've got the gas," said volunteer Rachel Bridge. "We've got to try and find this money from somewhere so we can carry on doing the work that we do. "With the environment at the minute, it's likely that big storms like that are going to happen again." Storm Austen was immediately followed by Storm Boleo, with gusts of 85mph (137km/h) recorded on Saturday night. A yellow warning for wind remains in place over much of the country, including Kidsgrove , external , until 21:00 GMT on Sunday. Image source, Greyhound Gap Image caption, The charity is appealing for financial donations to help them "Last night was rough due to the winds, also with more forecast today," said the charity's founder Lisa Cartwright on social media on Sunday morning. "Financially now we are just about to push into our hardest months, once the kennels' heating goes on, then the electric rises to around £2,000 a month. "On top of up to £8,000 in vet bills a month is another huge expense, so continued donations to general funds are absolutely needed." She added: "For now everyone is safe, the dogs are warm and dry, and we hope to attempt to bring those relocated home over the next few days. "We also need to say thank you to all of the local kennels, vets and nationwide rescues who offered us kennels space." Get in touch Tell us which stories we should cover in Staffordshire Contact form Contact form Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds , Facebook , external , X , external and Instagram , external . Related topics Kidsgrove Charities Dogs More on this story Storm Boelo brings 85mph gusts and travel disruption with amber weather warnings in effect Storm Austen brings power cuts and travel disruption as more wind and rain forecast Published 1 day ago Related internet links Greyhound Gap