A RAIN-SOAKED family have been left like ‘lambs to the slaughter’ after Storm Eleanor tore off their flat’s roof, which remains unfixed two weeks later.

On January 3 gale-force winds ripped away part of Hornbeam House’s roof, allowing rain to pour into the council owned property in Buckhurst Hill.

Despite assurances from Epping Forest District Council that a temporary fix would keep out the elements until more permanent work could start, the top floor flats have been getting wetter and wetter for the past fortnight.

Aasmat Khan has been struggling to cope in a water damaged flat with her husband, two children and 89 year-old mother.

The 43 year-old said: “We have been left like lambs to the slaughter.

“They didn’t offer to move us into a hotel until last night. Four of us have been sleeping in one bedroom.

“Water is pouring into my flat. My husband works nights and is up all day putting buckets and a sledge out.”

As well as a working out how to replace nearly £1,000 of ruined flooring and a hob bought on Boxing Day, Mrs Khan and her 12 year-old son Aamir’s asthma has been aggravated by the damp.

The mental health site manager also had to look after her ill mother, who came for a new year’s visit only to be greeted by a flat plunged into darkness for five days with water running down the light sockets.

On the day of the storm the council's emergency out of hours team attended the site but were unable to complete works due to the wind.

All residents were checked out, a spokesperson said, all properties inspected and an edge protection put in place.

The spokesperson said: "Due to the extensive damage across the whole roof, a detailed inspection of every aspect of the roof was not possible. "Residents were advised of this, and were also advised that should they require alternative accommodation then they should contact the Council. "No guarantees could be offered about the roof not leaking, but for the time being the weather forecast was for more high winds but no rain."

Scaffolding was put up by Monday, January 8, and stripping of the roof began on January 10 once a loss adjuster had attended.

Letters were sent out and one tenant put up in a hotel room on their request.

The spokesperson added: "Works are now progressing, and the priority is to make the roof water-tight by stripping back the damaged roof to the structure and installing a new vapour barrier. This is being done in 4-stages. Once the whole roof has had a new vapour barrier installed, the remaining insulation and capping layers will be installed. The whole recovery works will take around 6-8 weeks.

"This was significant damage to the roof finish and the weather prevented a quicker assessment of the damage. The Council acted extremely quickly in the circumstances and maintained communication with the residents when information was available. Residents can always contact the Council should they need further reassurance or information."