A MOTHER watched in horror as dirty water came up through her skirting boards and into her home as Storm Ciara wreaked havoc.

Jade Holden had to rush her two children and niece upstairs as her home in Bold Street, Accrington, began filling with water.

The paramedic science student said the heavy storm caused water to run into the home through the floor.

The 22-year-old said within a matter of minutes the ground floor of her home was covered in dirty water just after 11am yesterday.

She said: "I had to be quick and get my kids upstairs and then try and save as much as I could.

"I managed to save my children's memory boxes and some goods in the kitchen, but I've lost my sofa and units.

"I had to open my front and back door to let the water out of the house.

"It was horrible to see my children's toys just wash away."

Storm Ciara wreaked flooding havoc across East Lancashire for 12 hours.

Eighty-mile-an-hour winds and rain battered the region and disrupted Sunday for thousands of residents.

And now forecasters are predicting snow and ice might be on the way before the end of the week.

Ms Holden said the water level was more than a foot deep at its highest.

Ms Holden said: "It was really weird as the water wasn't coming in from the doors or the roof.

"I'm able to get a sofa today off someone if I can get there in time.

"I don't have any carpets downstairs now.

"I had to leave the heating on all night to dry out the bottom floor.

"I need to let everything dry out and see what needs replacing."