A gift shop and gallery owned by a Forest of Dean woman were at the centre of the devastating Storm Claudia floods which struck Monmouth in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Boat House Gift shop and gallery in Monmouth owed by Jenny Chuter showcase work from local artists and were left underwater as the River Monnow breached its banks sending flood water pouring into Monnow Street and surrounding homes and businesses.

“We’ve had a very busy 48 hours, clearing out lots of mud and river water, trying to salvage as much as can and we’ve even had a sale of some soggy paintings; people have been very kind and buying lots of work,” said Jenny.

As the waters recede and the clean up operation continues Monmouth continues to send out the message - ‘we’re here and we’re open’.

Flooded scenes in Monnow, Street, Monmouth, South Wales. November 15, 2025. Storm Claudia causes chaos across the UK - as a river broke its banks and submerged a Waitrose. A major incident was declared in South Wales due to "severe and widespread" flooding in Monmouth. The River Monnow broke its banks in the early hours of the morning on November 15 (Sat) and has left cars and high street shops underwater.
The night no-one will ever forget (Kim Hilton / SWNS) (Kim Hilton / SWNS)

floods
Fire crew evacuation team at work in Monmouth (Tindle)
Firefighters from all over South Wales assist with clearup
Firefighters from all over south Wales have been helping with the clean up in Monmouth (Gareth Roberts )
A firefighter and volunteer manage a smile
A firefighter and volunteer manage a smile (Gareth Roberts)
Monmouth flooding on Monnow Street
The office of the Forester’s sister paper, The Monmouthshire Beacon underwater on Saturday (Kim Chaos (Facebook))