More than 10,000 people still have not been able to return to their homes after last summer's flooding, figures obtained by BBC Radio 5 Live suggest.
More than 10,000 people still have not been able to return to their homes after last summer's flooding, figures obtained by BBC Radio 5 Live suggest.
Local authorities in England say more than 5,000 households remain affected, but councils say many are not on lists as they rent or stay with relatives.
Local authorities in England say more than 5,000 households remain affected, but councils say many are not on lists as they rent or stay with relatives.
A shortage of skilled workers, as well as problems caused by a cool, wet winter have slowed down repairs.
A shortage of skilled workers, as well as problems caused by a cool, wet winter have slowed down repairs.
The worst hit areas are Hull, the East Riding and Tewkesbury.
The worst hit areas are Hull, the East Riding and Tewkesbury.
The situation is thought to be worst in Hull, where the authorities believe 10% of the city's population has been directly affected by the floods.
The situation is thought to be worst in Hull, where the authorities believe 10% of the city's population has been directly affected by the floods.
Christine Smith, from Hull, told the BBC she was due to be back in her home by Christmas but is still living in a caravan.
'Clearly unacceptable'
She said: "Through the damp and the delays I've encountered, it has caused secondary damage upstairs.
Paul Hendy from the National Flood Forum told the BBC that the insurance industry had struggled to deal with the influx of claims.
"I've had to throw the beds out, the carpets out and everything has turned mouldy and wet."
"The insurance industry needs to be able to process claims much quicker," he said.
The sad reality is, it's taken this amount of time for properties to dry out Malcolm TarlingAssociation of British Insurers
"There has been a lot of unacceptable delays in delayed payments, not just for builders but also for policy holders as well."
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said its members had to deal with 180,000 claims and paid out more than £3bn.
They say they took more requests for claims in June and July last year than in the previous four years.
Malcolm Tarling, from the ABI, said 15,000 people had gone into temporary accommodation and 75% were now back home.
He said the industry was "working round the clock to get the remaining people back in their homes".
"The biggest problem we face apart from the sheer number of claims is the British weather," he said.
"It is clearly unacceptable that there are people still in temporary accommodation, but the sad reality is, it's taken this amount of time for properties to dry out."
'Overwhelmed'
Christine Smith is one of 4,500 people in Hull still displaced by the summer's floods.
Nine months on and her home has no floorboards, no kitchen, and no fixtures or fittings.
She was due to be back in her home by Christmas but is still living in a caravan. She said it was a case of everyone - from the loss adjusters to the builders - being "overwhelmed" by the amount of work.
It has been a bad year. But we had a lot of grant money given to us and we are looking forward to the summer Upton mayor Tim Perry
"The damp and delays I've encountered has caused secondary damage upstairs," she added.
"I've had to throw the beds out, the carpets out and everything has turned mouldy."
In Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, 500 households are still unable to return home, and in Gloucester, repair work has to be completed on 162 properties.
Skilled worker shortage
Skilled worker shortage
BBC Radio 5 Live understands that the estimate of more than 10,000 people affected reflects the number of households displaced and in contact with local authorities.
BBC Radio 5 Live understands that the estimate of more than 10,000 people affected reflects the number of households displaced and in contact with local authorities.
The actual number of people not in their homes could be much greater.
The actual number of people not in their homes could be much greater.
Some of those affected may not have contacted authorities, or could be staying with friends or relatives.
Some of those affected may not have contacted authorities, or could be staying with friends or relatives.
A shortage of builders, carpenters, plumbers, plasterers and electricians has meant thousands of homeowners have been forced to stay in caravans for longer than necessary.
A shortage of builders, carpenters, plumbers, plasterers and electricians has meant thousands of homeowners have been forced to stay in caravans for longer than necessary.
In many cases the extent of flood damage only emerged months after the waters had receded, and it has taken far longer than expected to dry houses out.
In many cases the extent of flood damage only emerged months after the waters had receded, and it has taken far longer than expected to dry houses out.
The Association of British Insurers has said its members have dealt with 180,000 claims and paid out more than £3bn.
But it is not all bad news. The pubs and restaurants in the Worcestershire town of Upton-upon-Severn have reopened, and Mayor Tim Perry said all they need now is for the tourists to come back.
"It's coming together now," he said.
"It has been a bad year. But we had a lot of grant money given to us and we are looking forward to the summer."
Were you affected by last summer's floods? Are you still unable to return home due to water damage? Send your comments using the post form below:
Were you affected by last summer's floods? Are you still unable to return home due to water damage? Send your comments using the post form below:
