So heavy were the torrential rains which hit Chester and Ellesmere Port last week that the vice-dean of Chester Cathedral joked he was constructing an ark.
While the water thankfully subsided before such lengths were necessary, the cathedral did not emerge 'holy' unscathed.
Vice-dean Peter Howell-Jones tweeted an image of scaffolding erected in the Chapter House, saying: "Assessing the water damage after three days of water getting in to the cathedral! Currently building Ark!"
A spokeswoman for Chester Cathedral told the Chronicle that the Chapter House, the cloisters, the south transept and the Garth Garden - which flooded because the roof overflowed - were all affected.
But experts say there is no serious damage to the cathedral.
"Thankfully, there is no lasting damage," said the spokeswoman.
"We have had people in to check and we are not concerned that it is anything serious.
"It was just an unprecedented amount of rainfall.
"It was all hands to the pump to get the worst of the water out.
"A lot of staff stayed until 7.30pm on Wednesday to sort it out.
"Fortunately, the building is made to last."
