FAMILIES in a Cardenden street are battling to overcome the problems caused by the five hours of torrential rain when the Den Burn and River Ore burst their banks.

It meant that water poured into homes in Cardenden Road and over the weekend residents were counting the cost of the results of the worst rainstorm to hit the area for more than three decades.

Many were told that their home insurance did not cover them because the damage caused to their property was by a storm.

One of the couples struck by this blow was Dennis and Yvonne Currie, whose daughter Lauren Gryzbowski, explained how the water hitting the Cardenden Road homes wrecked furniture, electrical appliances and clothing.

Lauren, who is six months pregnant, has spent days trying to help her mum and dad by finding out if the insurance cover is right about not including storms and said on Tuesday that moves were in the pipeline to set up a working group among the residents to help piece together a way ahead.

Local councillor and convener of Cowdenbeath Area Committee, Linda Erskine, said: "Cardenden Road has been devastated by this incredible storm.

"Virtually every home has been hit seriously by the raging torrent of water that headed up the street and families have been counting the cost, this is something that has devastated people's lives."

MP for Cardenden, Peter Grant, visited Cardenden Road on Monday: “I personally don't remember ever seeing such heavy rain falling for such a long time over such a widespread area, and this has obviously placed enormous pressure on those across Fife who responded during the emergency and those who have been involved since."

Local MSP, Annabelle Ewing, has written to the Scottish Government Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes asking that the Bellwin Scheme geared to helping local authority actions taken in the immediate phase of an emergency.

Speaking on Monday Ms Ewing said: “Flood damage in this area has been considerable and there is concern that insurers may not pay out on claims".