Council support for flood affected areas

In response to Tuesday’s severe weather event and the on-going risk of flooding due to saturated ground, Harborough District Council is urgently investigating how it might be able to provide localised support to affected parishes and areas across the district.

The council has contacted parish councils and parish meetings to confirm that an initial supply of sandbags will be made available to be stored in a number of places across the district for use in emergency situations. There will also be support for parishes and areas through the multi-agency Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Resilience Forum (LRF) to review or create a Community Resilience Plan, including a call for volunteer flood wardens.

Cllr Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: "We understand how devastating flooding of a property can be and the worry it causes to residents. Harborough is a large rural district and our support team can't be everywhere at once. So I am pleased to say that the council is making £20,000 available for support to affected parishes and areas, including making sandbags available, and we will work together to see what further support can be offered."

The impact of Storm Henk was felt in areas across the whole of the Harborough district and the wider Leicestershire area. The first set of sandbags will be delivered to Broughton Astley this week.

Information and advice for residents and businesses about preparing for flooding events and who to contact about different types of flooding-related issues is at: www.harborough.gov.uk/flooding