A man has described the "heartbreaking" reality of having his home ruined during a flood.
Kieron Linnie-Godden's childhood home was one of many in Skewen that filled with water on the afternoon of Thursday, January 21.
It is thought the flooding occurred after a disused mine shaft filled with water and "burst", sending torrents of water over "at least eight streets".
Around 80 residents were evacuated and have since been told that they could face up to a six month wait to return to their homes.
Mr Linnie-Godden, who lives in Dynevor Road with his fiancée and father, said that everything inside the family's bungalow "was a write-off".
The 28-year-old was at work when the flooding began but his fiancée and father both managed to escape through a window of the bungalow, while their four dogs desperately tried to climb on top of furniture.
He said: "It was a bit of a surprise, I was in work at the time but my partner was in the house when it happened.
"I was coming home from work and someone said 'Skewen has flooded' but it didn't register at first.
"When I came home I didn't actually get to see it straight away because I first went out to the top of the road but when I came around the back bit I could see it.
"My father had taken the bins out and 15 minutes later the water was halfway into the drive.
"By the time my father and fiancée decided it was time to get out the water in the house was waist high."
The family's three Labradors and West Highland Terrier were forced to swim around the house before managing to also escape through the window, with the smallest dog being pulled through in a baby bath.
"My father and fiancée had to climb out through the master bedroom to get out and the four dogs had to swim through the window," Mr Linnie-Godden added.
"The dogs were trying to get on top of everything but it was all floating.
"We had to push the Westie out on a baby bath.
"It was unbelievable. I'd never seen anything like it.
"You wouldn't think it would happen here."
The family and their dogs have been staying with family members in the aftermath of the flood but have managed to head back inside to pick up what they could.
Mr Linnie-Godden said that the sofas and beds have been destroyed, while the kitchen counters were also badly damaged.
He said: "It took two days for us to be able to go inside but even then it was still up to our knees.
"We had to wade through and then it started raining so we wanted to get in quickly and grab what we could otherwise we might not be able to again.
"Everything inside was just basically a write-off. The kitchen counters are covered, the sofas, beds, everything has gone.
"Everything inside our caravan is a write-off as well. It actually tipped over."
He added: "I have been here since birth. It was quite upsetting - it's the last thing you expect to see happen.
"It's heartbreaking seeing the place like this. It's a childhood home and you don't expect to see it like this."
Mr Linnie-Godden explained that more permanent accommodation is trying to be found for his family but they could face a six-month wait before things are sorted.
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"We are staying at my sister's at the moment," he added.
"They are looking for a place for us but it's a bit harder when you've got four dogs.
"They reckon it's going to take between six to 10 months but the insurance company said it's probably going to take about six months to sort out."
