Eleven residents have been told they will have to wait up to two months to return to their flooded homes.

People living on the bottom floor of the social housing run by MHS Homes on Nelson Terrace, next to Luton Library, have lost many of their personal belongings due to the heavy rainfall on Tuesday, May 29.

Peter Cairns, 64, who has now been moved, said: “The rainwater was pouring through my window.

"I tried to block what I could but it got too heavy.

"I grabbed a bag, took the important stuff and got out.

“When I left, the water was up to my waist. It picked up my refrigerator, couch and TV.”

Pensioner Geoffrey Pond has lived on Nelson Terrace for more than 20 years.

During the flooding he had to be lifted by out of his bottom floor flat by a rescue team from MHS Homes.

He has been moved to Rose House Care Home in Gillingham, where he now has a permanent room.

The 79-year-old said: “It was hard for everyone. We were all in the same situation along the bottom floor but people from the top helped out.

“They’ve given me a room which I am grateful for but I have to find everything to fill the room. I’ve lost a lot.

“The first thing I realised was the water coming over the wall, it literally came through the window and the whole place was flooded.

“I was overcome really. One little boy said it is like a living nightmare and I could not have put it better myself.”

Residents have commended the response from MHS, which sent a team to rescue residents from their flooded living rooms and arrange alternative accommodation.

Andrew Bircher, assistant director of customer services, said: “We put extra staff to help answer the calls on Tuesday.

“I’d like to thank our residents for their patience.

“We’re continuing to work with and support everyone affected. It was such a shock for many of them so we’ll do everything we can to make sure they’re okay.”

Although residents have been given temporary accommodation until their flats have dried out, they will have to replace all of their belongings which became water-logged.

MHS Homes say the works will take two months or more.

Two residents have agreed to move permanently and the rest are happy to stay where they are until they can return.