Fookes urged shoppers not to stay away from Monmouth while Christmas shopping in the coming weeks to ensure flood-hit businesses did not miss out on trade.
“There are businesses open there today so please don’t just avoid Monmouth for the next six weeks because we will clear up fast,” she said.
The Welsh government said flooding has “devastating impacts” and it was investing a “record £77m in flood protection this year alone as part of our commitment to fund improved flood protection to 45,000 homes this Senedd term”.
Peter Fox, the Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) for Monmouth, called on the Welsh government “to make available whatever support they can” for residents, businesses and communities impacted by the floods.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it dealt with more than 80 callouts by Saturday afternoon, with clean-up work continuing on Sunday.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU), which represents firefighters, said the incident highlighted the “immense pressure” on fire and rescue services, with firefighters being “stretched to the limit”.
Neighbouring crews had to be drafted in to provide support, as well as a host of other agencies.
“The scale of the response in Monmouth and elsewhere shows once again just how vital our service is when disasters hit,” said FBU general secretary Steve Wright.
“But it is also clear that services are under huge strain.”
