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Posted in

February

2020

Government funding for flood victims.

The following is a Press Release from South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler.

Government opens financial Scheme for flood victims

After South Derbyshire has suffered considerable flooding, Heather Wheeler MP was able to confirm the Government has opened up a financial scheme to help residents and businesses that have flooded. This will be processed via the District Council.

In order to qualify more than 25 properties in South Derbyshire must have suffered internal damage. It is therefore important to now collate and document exactly where flooding of homes has occurred. We need to determine where the flood water came from and look for ways to try alleviate this in the future.

Additionally following storm Ciara, storm Denis and with the increasing possibility of further rain on the way Heather called for a meeting with the Chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council. She said “In view of the ongoing flooding problems I felt a meeting with Frank McArdle, Chief Executive of South Derbyshire District Council was essential in order for me to hear what Council staff have been able to do to help on the ground following storm Dennis and understand what lessons have been learnt following storm Ciara.

“He was able to tell me that from the moment we were advised of Storm Ciara teams began working round the clock to try to shore up flood defences to protect resident’s homes from flooding. Sadly, despite all of their efforts, a number of homes did flood and then the teams turned their full attention to helping with the clean-up. Sadly they had to repeat this cycle again because of Storm Dennis. This time SDDC had eight staff filling and delivering sandbags from 4pm to 10pm, with further late night call outs.”

Further Heather said “I will be having discussions with the Environment Agency regarding river flooding and what further defences can be put in place. Also, there are points where the drains simply cannot cope with the volume of water when we have downpours of rain and I am having a meeting with Derbyshire County Council to talk about what engineering work can be done to ensure the drains can cope.

“My heart goes out to everyone affected by flooding and I would like to thank the emergency services and Council staff for all their hard work. Please be assured I will be pushing all of the agencies involved to do everything necessary to try to ensure this is not a situation which keeps repeating itself. Sadly this is a multi-faceted issue and will not be solved overnight but as a Constituency we have been successful in receiving money for flood alleviation work before so I know, working together our authorities can bid again to make life better and safer for our residents and business in the future.”

If your property had flood water inside and you have not been in touch with SDDC please contact the Council on 01283 595795, alternatively email environmental.health@southderbyshire.gov.uk

Flooding Advice

Derbyshire County Council have issued the following advice to stay safe and be prepared in the event of flooding:

Stay Informed

·       Stay up to date with current flood warnings and weather warnings at:  

https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings and: 

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2020-02-17.

Both of these service have text alert options.

·       Keep up to date with local media news reports.

Be prepared

·       Put vital items like insurance documents and medications in a waterproof bag in case you need to leave your home

·       Check you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies. If water starts coming into the property, turn off the power to the downstairs at the fusebox.

·       Take essentials upstairs – food, water, torch. Move children, pets and valuables upstairs. If you can, move furniture and furnishings upstairs. 

·       Move your vehicle to higher ground if it’s safe to do so.

·       You can make temporary flood defences by filling plastic bags or even pillowcases with soil or compost and placing them in front of doors and airbricks.

·       Block up external airbricks. You could use any sort of solid sheet such as plyboard or rigid plastic securely fastened to the external wall.

·       If you have time, take photos in case you need to make an insurance claim.  

Stay Safe

·       Keep an eye on neighbours. Be ready to help if you can.

·       Call 999 if you’re in immediate danger, particularly if there is anyone frail, vulnerable or disabled in the property.

·       Follow advice from the emergency services and evacuate if you’re told to do so.

·       Avoid driving or walking through flood water: just 30cm (1 foot) of fast flowing water could move your car and even shallow moving water can knock you off your feet

·       Keep family and pets away from floodwater – it probably contains sewage and chemicals and may contain heavy debris, sharp objects and invisible open manhole covers

·       Wash your hands if you’ve been in contact with flood water which may contain toxic substances