Nearly £1 million to be spent investigating flooding in Suffolk following Storm Babet
Around 100 investigations into flooding are thought to be needed
Almost £1 million is to be spent investigating flooding in Suffolk following Storm Babet.
Suffolk County Council's committed the funding, which will go towards bringing in additional flood investigation specialists.
Since the storm, the local authority tells us targeted recovery work has been carried out across the county to repair damaged highway infrastructure, get those whose properties were flooded help.
They're also working to ensure that investigations can start to identify how to reduce flood risks in the future.
As lead local flood authority, the county council has a duty to investigate significant flooding under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act.
These investigations help to establish the source of flooding, factors which may have caused or exacerbated the flooding, the impacts on people, services and infrastructure and any actions which could be taken to increase resilience to future storm events.
In any usual year, Suffolk County Council carries out around three or four of these investigations.
Following Babet, up to 100 look set to be needed.
Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s leader, said:
“The impact of this truly unprecedented event is still being felt across the county and will continue to do so for months to come, so it is important that we recognise that and increase our resources appropriately.
“These investigations help us to work with communities to establish the cause of flooding in the worst hit areas and identify ways to manage the risk better in future.”
Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council’s deputy cabinet member for highways drainage and flood recovery, said:
“Our teams continue to work incredibly hard to help our flood-hit communities get back to their feet following the recent storms.
“This increase in resource will mean we can do even more with our communities and, importantly, quicker.”
The Government has now confirmed the arrangements for the DEFRA-funded scheme which means flooded property owners can apply for up to £5,000 to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding.