The Red Cross set up a centre in Newcastle Emlyn this week to help flood victims.

Water almost reached the tops of windows at the Riverside Café in the market town, which suffered major flood damage, prompting a GoFundMe appeal from owner Radhika Kelly.

“We are putting out a call of help to all of you who know and love our little Riverside Café,” she said.

“Storm Callum hit us with full force and has totally destroyed and devastated our little business we have been building this past year and a half. We have lost a massive portion of our equipment inside and outside and need to replace around 90 per cent of everything we own.”

As donations began coming in, Ms Kelly said: “One minute I’m devastated, the next minute I’m feeling positive because there is a great community spirit behind us.”

Local county councillor Hazel Evans said the flooding was the worst since the great storm of October 1987.

“The Ceredigion side of the river has sustained major damage due to the unprecedented height of the floodwater,” she said. “Teifi Terrace is really bad and the centre of town was flooded as far back as Lloyds bank.

“I don’t think flood defences would have helped because the problems were caused by the sheer volume of storm water pouring down into town.

“The worst thing about this is the filth the water has left behind – it’s absolutely horrible.”

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now