Rescuers rushed to their aid. Peter Garland, a local scoutmaster, swam out to the “Bush” and to the cottages telling them not to panic as help was to hand. and boats were fetched from Pontefract Park Lake by Mr. Wheatley and helpers from the Churchside farm and from Roundhay Park Lake by Savile Transport, owned by Mr. Arthur Marsh.

More than 30 people were rescued from their flooded homes by these rowing boats and willing helpers. Fortunately there was no loss of life. The floods were reported extensively in local newspapers eg. the Yorkshire Post and in the national press on Monday 28th, November. Mr. Turner of Scholey Hill Farm (later demolished) had to rope down his floating hen hut and lost 79 chickens, which were being fattened for Christmas.

The floods were the death knell of Watergate. The area, always low-lying, with groups of pretty but old houses all with large gardens and orchards, never recovered from the disaster. The occupants of the cottages never went back to live premanently in their homes. They were gradually re-housed in other properties in the Rothwell area.

The old cottages were demolished except for two standing on higher ground and less affected by the flood. Today the overgrown orchards and old tracks to the cottages are the only reminder of this small community.