FLOOD victims living alongside the bourne which is flowing from Halliloo Valley at Woldingham and through Whyteleafe and Kenley to Purley, were evacuated yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) by the fire brigade.
Now, those who have had to move out of their homes off the Godstone Road say they feel "sacrificed" as a flood plain by emergency response teams.
Meanwhile, a temporary emergency pedestrian for bridge is being built at Whyteleafe to help children get to school.
The evacuations were carried out at Dale Road, Purley, off the A22 Godstone Road.
June Holmes, 81, was floated out of her flat in Dale Road by firefighters in a dinghy.
"We didn't have time to think and no one from the council or the fire brigade had come to talk to us before we were actually flooded," she said.
"We just had to bring a small bag with us. I didn't think it through because I thought I might be able to go back but it looks like we're here for weeks."
Ms Holmes said there was usually a "big puddle" outside when it rained, but she had never experienced this time to flood before.
Her neighbour, James Woodgate, is furious the gold command team - made up of Croydon Council, the Environment Agency, emergency services, Transport for London and the water companies - did not protect his stretch of road.
"We have been sacrificed so Dale Road can become a flood plain," he said.
"We tried to tell everyone about the water filling up but no one took any notice.
"Then it actually started flooding and there was a full panic."
Mr Woodgate, June and three others decided to make their own arrangements rather than go to the rest centre at council HQ in Bernard Weatherill House.
"We looked around for a cheap place to stay and the Holiday Inn Express in Croydon was the only viable place.
"Thankfully we have got some insurance to cover hotel bills but it still costs £63 a night for each of us," he said.
Dale Road was flooded in the early hours of Wednesday morning with fire crews, the Red Cross and council officers evacuating residents all day.
Up to 18 staff and clients from a care home looking after vulnerable adults had to be rescued and taken to the council's refuge centre.
This morning, another nine households were evacuated from Foxley Hill Road. Two made their own plans and the other seven were taken in by the council.
Emergency services continue to try and pump water away from flooded areas and are using the St John the Baptist church's car park, the Purley Cross underpass and a Harris Primary Academy Kenley playing field as ponds to hold flood water.
At Whyteleafe, Tandridge councillor Mark Coote, who runs a scaffolding firm, and is chairman of Whyteleafe Football Club, is this morning constructing a 100-yard long pedestrian bridge between Maple Road and the BP station. This is so children can get to school
