Praise is being heaped on Suffolk residents, farmers, 4×4 owners, volunteers, blue light responders, teachers and council staff for the way they dealt with the floods caused by Storm Babet.

Community leaders have expressed their gratitude for the many acts of heroism and community spirit that helped children get home from school, and residents move to safety and protect buildings from the floods.

Friday and the weekend saw farmers in tractors and 4×4 drivers wading through flood water to rescue people, council and community volunteers setting up safe and warm rest centres for stranded residents, blue light responders battling through the elements to reach 999 callers and highways staff pumping water away from flooded roads.

Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s leader, said “Whilst some communities were relatively unscathed by Storm Babet, the destruction and disruption it has caused in many areas of Suffolk cannot be underestimated.

“I would like to thank the blue light services, highways and council staff for their hard work in such difficult circumstances. I would also like to commend the farmers and 4×4 owners who rushed to the aid of stranded children and residents and brought them to safety. But most of all, I wish to thank Suffolk’s wonderful volunteers and members of the community, who stepped up and helped each other. They demonstrated a truly special quality inherent in the people of Suffolk.

“There is of course a lot more to do over coming weeks and months to support those who have been badly impacted, but I am confident that Suffolk’s community-spirit and commitment will help to get us through.”

Councillor Cliff Waterman, leader of West Suffolk Council, said “I want to thank everyone for the response to Storm Babet over the past few days. That includes all our communities, in particularly in Hepworth where I know a number of homes were badly flooded and where my fellow councillor Carol Bull and the parish council have been working to help those affected.

“It is also a thank you to all those who have checked in on neighbours across other parts of West Suffolk left without power as a result of the storm damage.

“A big thank you to all in the emergency services who alongside the county and district councils, have been busy working to keep people safe over the past few days. Our work isn’t done though, and our focus has now switched to clearing up the debris to help our communities return to normality. We are also continuing to liaise and be ready to support a small number of households who have had to leave their homes because of flood damage.”

Police and crime commissioner for Suffolk, Tim Passmore, said “I am truly heartened by the wonderful support the people of Suffolk have given to those who have found themselves in difficulty or distress because of the terrible floods we have experienced.

“My thanks go to all those who volunteered to help, and of course all those people in the emergency services, local councils and other public sector agencies and charities who collectively worked closely together in the name of public service. While the past few days must have been very alarming for many, it is extremely reassuring to see the communities of Suffolk pulling together so well once again in a time of need.”

Jon Lacey, Suffolk’s chief fire officer, said “Suffolk Fire and Rescue received thousands of calls for help during Storm Babet and our fire fighters worked tirelessly to rescue people who needed our help. The way partners in the Suffolk Resilience Forum came together – alongside members of the community – meant Suffolk rose to the challenge. On behalf of the forum, I’d like to say an enormous thank you.”

The clean-up operation is already underway across Suffolk with street cleaning, debris removal and property clearance. The five district and borough councils are working to help residents and businesses to recover from the impact of the floods. Information is already available on their websites and further details will be released in the coming days.