A Big Issue vendor “lost everything” when flash floods that devastated Monmouth in the wake of Storm Claudia swept away his tent and belongings and left him fearing for his life.

Vincent Lewis , 61, had been sleeping rough in the Welsh market town and selling the magazine on its main street since September before Storm Claudia hit on Friday (14 November).

A major incident was declared in Monmouth over the weekend as the River Monnow reached record levels and flooded the town centre with nearly five inches of rain falling in the space of just five hours.

Lewis, who met Prince William for his We Can End Homelessness ITV documentary last year, was caught up in the initial deluge, leaving him wading through water to escape.

“Within seconds – and I mean seconds – I look around and the

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