Planned tasks for the shovel brigade include reinforcing the spring and diverting its flow by using boulders, sand, downed trees and other flood debris.

CNN: Spotted owl could be game-changer in Tombstone water war

The riverside footpath has been closed while Durham County Council carries out stabilisation work, and the river itself is being dredged to remove flood debris.

BBC: Collapsing garden threat to Durham Regatta

Paul Eastment, Chris Missen and Martin Blaker-Rowe negotiated fast-moving flood waters, debris and darkness to rescue a woman on 23 December.

BBC: Devon and Cornwall RNLI crews given Gallantry awards

Less than a month after the storm struck, amidst debris and flood-damaged buildings, President Francis promised that this university would reopen in a matter of months. (Applause.) Some said he was crazy.

WHITEHOUSE: A Commitment to Restoring New Orleans

Shropshire Council said the central pier of the Donkey Bridge in New England, near Highley, has been "badly damaged" by debris carried by flood water.

BBC: New England's Donkey Bridge shut as floods leave it unsafe

Cesar Castellanos, the popular mayor of Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, gave warning that a temporary lake formed above the city by debris in the Choluteca river might flood the city centre.

ECONOMIST: After Mitch

There is no Republican or Democratic way to rebuild after a flood, to save lives, to start again, to turn the electricity on, to clean the debris.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House