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Residents and businesses are being encouraged to attend a series of flooding drop-in events that will take place across the county starting on 27 March. Those that attend will have the opportunity to talk to key agencies including the Environment Agency and Leicestershire County Council, in its capacity of Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and Highway Authority, about their experiences and get the latest updates on flood related work. Attendees will also be able to get advice on how to be prepared against further flooding, as well as having the opportunity to visit the FloodPod – a trailer packed with real life property flood resilience (PFR) measures. At the FloodPod visitors can see and learn about solutions available that are designed specifically to protect homes and businesses from flooding. The first drop-in event – in a series of five events organised by the County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority – will take place at Blaby District Council offices on Thursday 27 March from 2pm – 6pm. There will be further events in Great Glen, Syston, Melton and Loughborough. Full details below. Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, county council cabinet member for flooding, said: “Residents and businesses across the county have been hit incredibly hard again following the floods in January and off the back of devastating flooding last year from Storm Henk. All the responsible agencies are working closely together on the response to flooding and looking for ways to reduce the future impact, but we need residents and businesses to play their part in being prepared too. “These sessions are a key part of our continued efforts to be even more flood resilient and we want residents and businesses to come along and visit the FloodPod to see some of the preventative solutions first hand so we can work together to be prepared. “Communities have continued to pull together and we’d like to thank local people for their ongoing co-operation and resilience during such challenging circumstances. I’d encourage anyone who has been impacted by flooding to come along, speak to agencies and get to see some flood resilience measures in action.” The council is also asking people to spread the message about the events so that those that have been affected or those that live in flood risk areas can come along. The sessions will also be of interest to representatives of communities who may be keen to play a role in supporting the work of agencies. While these events have been organised with the worst-hit communities in mind, they are open to all members of the public. Around 900 properties were flooded across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland when record-breaking river levels were hit this January. The Environment Agency issued a highly unusual severe flood warning, indicating ‘risk to life’, 87 people were rescued from properties and cars, more than 160 roads were closed and Leicestershire Police fielded more than 2,100 calls on 6 January when heavy rainfall and snow melt caused major flooding. Full list of events:
Anyone with questions ahead of the drop-in events may contact the Lead Local Flood Authority by emailing: flooding@leics.gov.uk |