River levels hit their highest point since records began during last week’s devastating floods, as the number of flood-hit homes nears 900.
Agencies across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland continue to support residents and businesses affected by last week’s unprecedented floods after a month’s worth of rain fell in a couple of days.
David Turnbull, the Environment Agency’s flood risk manager, said: “This has been a major event. Heavy rainfall and snow melt has meant that flows in our rivers and tributaries were similar to Storm Henk and several exceeded their highest recorded levels.
“In some areas, the rainfall over 24 hours was more than double that seen during last year’s Storm Henk.
“Flooding can be devastating for people. We’ll continue to work with our partners to help communities be more resilient to flood risk. Initial estimates show that our defences prevented flooding to over 2,000 properties.”
It’s too early to say what the exact reasons were. But we do know that we’ve seen levels of rainfall, snow melt and river flows like never before. This simply overwhelmed drainage, watercourses, and defences.
For some people it’s the second time their homes and businesses have flooded within a year. People are understandably angry and worried about the future. As a partnership, we’re continuing to support local residents, but more needs to be done to tackle this national issue.
This rainfall caused major flooding from the river network impacting so many communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Sadly, it’s not possible to fully defend all households against events like this which are happening more frequently across the country. We must continue to work together to help reduce the impact of flooding. This includes people being aware and prepared for floods.
Person:Zafar Saleem, county council assistant chief executive and chair of the partnership recovery group
Last week, councils across Leicestershire and Rutland wrote to ministers asking for financial support and a shakeup of the national approach to flooding.
This week, council officers are visiting homes to provide support and advice. Councils and other agencies continue the clean-up operation, sweeping roads and collecting flood damaged property.
Residents affected by the floods are reminded of the support and advice available:
- From the National Flood Forum
- Sign up for flood warnings
- Check for flooding in your area
- Follow the Environment Agency on social media
- District and borough councils
- Leicestershire County Council’s website, Leicester City Council’s website and Rutland County Council’s website
At a glance
During the flooding:
- 883 properties were flooded
- Rest centres were open in Leicester, Charnwood and Blaby
- More than 380 calls to the fire service
- 60 people were rescued 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
- East Midlands Ambulance Service declared a critical incident because of the demand in the region
- The Environment Agency issued a highly unusual severe flood warning, indicating ‘risk to life’
- Over 160 roads flooded
- 118 flood wardens available to help
Report flooding on the county council’s website or the city council’s website