Government urged to help flood-hit residents across Leicestershire and Rutland
Latest figures show at least 630 homes flooded on Monday night
Councils across Leicestershire and Rutland are pressing the Government to release cash to help flood-hit residents.
The number of homes flooded on Monday night has reached 630 and continues to rise – surpassing numbers seen during Storm Henk 12 months ago. The number includes 240 in Leicester, 170 in Blaby District, 70 in Charnwood and 55 in Melton Borough.
The letter, signed by the leaders of local authorities, calls for cash now to support those forced to leave their homes and urges a national flooding shake up.
It was sent to Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy MP and stresses the devastating impact on residents and businesses.
It says: “This is the second year in a row where hundreds of residents are left homeless and local pubs, sports clubs and others do not know if they will be able to survive. Many are cleaning up after just getting on their feet after Storm Henk battered the area just 12 months ago. Residents sought shelter and support a in emergency rest centres, many with just the clothes they were wearing. It is a torrid situation.
“The right thing is for Government to release funding now and activate the Flood Recovery Framework to help them survive and get back to some kind of normality.”
During the response, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service received 380 calls, rescuing more than 60 people from properties and 27 from cars by boat.
Leicestershire Police handled over 2,100 calls on 6 January, a 40 to 50 per cent rise on average daily demand, while East Midlands Ambulance Service declared a critical incident because of the demand in the region.
As people were evacuated from a caravan park in Barrow upon Soar, an emergency alert was issued due to the imminent threat to life - one of the only times this has been used in the UK.
In total, over 160 roads flooded.
The letter also calls on Government to drive national changes, including help for homeowners to make properties more flood resilient, support for businesses to get insurance and a new national communications campaign.
It states: “Our climate is changing and we need a new approach. We are seeing far more frequent events, causing greater impact and affecting areas never historically known to flood. National changes to funding and powers are required to help us better prevent and then react to flooding when it does occur.
“Flooding is one of the biggest threats to our communities and needs propelling to the top of the agenda. Government needs to step up and lead the conversation on how we collectively up our game in tacking flooding.”
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