BRADFORD Council alone is facing a huge repair bill as officers continue to assess widespread damage to roads, bridges and property.

Council leader David Green said the final bill would be "significant" but it will take about two weeks to determine the full extent of the damage.

It remained to be seen how much compensation would come from the Government, he said.

Floods Minister Rory Stewart has told Shipley MP Philip Davies that Bradford Council would be fully reimbursed for the costs but Cllr Green said previous compensation schemes had fallen short by about 30 per cent.

Yesterday, the council asked the Government for extra water pumps, dehumidifiers and sandbags but has yet to receive a reply, said Cllr Green.

"We have had assistance from other local authorities which have sent us sandbags - we are giving these out as quickly as we can."

He said the repair bill for damaged bridges in Baildon alone could be substantial.

"Shipping containers have hit bridges so we need to check that they are safe. It is impossible to identify what the cost will be."

Cllr Green rejected criticism made residents that the council had failed to help them. He said partner agencies had helped out in many cases.

He called for a national review of flood defence funding, claiming the Government had spent money in the south for "political and PR reasons".

"We have a situation where the Government reacts to the latest problem rather than trying to plan ahead to invest to stop the problems happening."

On a visit to flood-hit York, David Cameron defended funding for flood prevention amid calls for a "complete rethink" of preparations for increasingly extreme weather.

Mr Cameron rejected any suggestion of a north/south divide, insisting the Government spends "more per head of the population on flood defences in the north than we do in the south".

As the Met Office issued yellow warnings for rain on Wednesday in Yorkshire, flood-hit residents feared the worst.

Mark Pearson, a photographer based in Keighley, said the community spirit was "fantastic" but many people were worried.

"The way that people have pulled together is nice to see but what is most upsetting people is the forecast for more rain.

"Everybody is thinking is the cleaning up worth doing? Do we start repairing stuff or hang on?"

As the flood waters subsided, remarkable stories of bravery emerged.

On Saturday night, Paul Trotter, 30, was watching the flooded Aire at Baildon Bridge when he noticed a young man clinging to a pole as the water rose around him.

Mr Trotter drove into the fast-moving water in a rescue attempt but his Mitsubishi Shogun was lifted and spun around by the force of the river.

The Shogun’s engine cut out and it then collided with a lamppost, allowing Mr Trotter to tether it to the post with some straps he had in the car.

Both men got on to the car’s roof to await rescue by the fire brigade.

Mr Trotter said a fire crew in a boat were tipped into the water when it overturned but a second attempt at rescue was successful.

“They got us off one at a time. It was really good what the firefighters did. It was a dangerous situation as the water was rising by the minute.

“The lad was 18 years old and from Baildon. He had been trying to get home after visiting his mate. If I had not done what I did he might have been swept away.

“The water was freezing cold and really saps your energy. We were on top of the car for about one and a half hours.

Mr Trotter, a car trader of Laisterdyke, Bradford, added: “A fireman said ‘well done, you deserve a pat on the back’ for helping the lad.”

Generous business owners continued to help one another.

A takeaway owner in Cottingley said it was donating food to people in the community.

Mohammed Farid, of Anmol on The Parade, said the areas of Shipley, Bingley, Baildon and Cottingley were where his customers lived.

“This is our community and we want to help them,” he said.

He and colleagues were taking chicken and rice to people being supported in the town.

Leeds North West Liberal Democrats MP Greg Mulholland has praised the response of local residents, businesses and also the emergency services.

He has also repeated calls for more investment in flood defences and putting them in place quickly, including on the River Wharfe.

"There has been a magnificent community response with many people offering help and shelter, people were out yesterday assisting with the clear-up on foot and others briefing vans and cars to shift damaged furniture and carpets."

He added: "There now needs to be discussions on how we can be better prepared for floods, including looking at new flood defences. The floods and unseasonably high levels of rain and warm temperatures are also a powerful reminder of the need to do more to tackle climate change, locally, nationally and internationally."

Police praised the community's resilience and resourcefulness.

Andrew Gallant, Acting Chief inspector of Bradford neighbourhoods said: "We are more than happy to support the local authority and it never ceases to amaze me how people from every walk of life come together in their greatest time of need.

"The community’s resilience and resourcefulness have been the foundation of a partnership to stabilise many of those who’ve been affected.

"With Met Office weather warnings in place for Wednesday for further rain, it is not thought that this will be as significant as last weekend but local residents are asked to be prepared with much of the ground already saturated with water."

He added: "We will continue to work together with the Local Authority to keep people informed and reassured but would also encourage members of the public to monitor the weather forecasts at metoffice.gov.uk so they are able to anticipate any issues before they occur whilst also considering those people around them.

"Sandbags will be distributed in key locations, largely in the north side of the district considered to be most at risk. Hopefully we have seen the worst of the weather and we can look forward to getting back to normality."