On Monday 28 December 2016, the Ouse peaked at 5.2 metres above its normal summer level.

Around 10,000 sandbags were used with 600 military personnel, 125 mountain rescue members, York Rescue Boat teams and countless volunteers including myself helped to rescue flood victims and distribute sandbags.

Having met recently elected Ms Rachel Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central on Huntington road late one night, supporting the exhausted fire Brigade, I was left feeling the emergency services couldn't  have done anymore.

A meeting addressing the decision to raise the Foss barrier, which is one of the city's principal flood defences was held after. The Environment Agency said it was at a loss to explain why the barrier failed. Mark Scott, from the agency, apologised and said it was "incredibly regrettable" that properties flooded.

When you have lost all your possessions, the cat has moved on and you've lost your business, buying art can really help!