Clean-Up After Flash Flood In Market Harborough

The clean-up is continuing after flooding affected some homes and businesses in and around Market Harborough over the weekend.

A total of 66mm of rainfall was recorded for Market Harborough in the past 96 hours, equivalent to the usual amount for the whole month of September.

There was a flash flood in the town centre on Saturday afternoon and the intense rainfall resulted in water entering a number of shops and businesses.

The Mint Velvet clothing store on High Street was one of the premises affected and manager Jodie Murphy told HFM what it was like:

The cellar at the Red Cow pub flooded

The Red Cow pub was one of the other premises affected and firefighters were called to pump out water from the cellar which was about 80cm deep.

Harborough District Council is to contact Leicestershire County Council, which has responsibility for keeping drains cleaned, after complaints some were blocked which contributed to the flooding.

The authority is also to ask Anglian Water if its large storm water tank under the Commons Car Park performed as it should.

Cllr Phil Knowles is leader of the council:

Flash flooding in Market Harborough

Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and flooding, said: “The drains in Market Harborough are regularly cleaned and on our highest priority schedule.

“When manholes and gullies start to surcharge water, it usually indicates the system couldn’t cope with the intensity of rainfall.

“A total of 66mm of rainfall was reported for Market Harborough in the last 96 hours, equivalent to the usual amount for the month of September.

“Our highways teams have been extremely busy over the weekend and worked round-the-clock to deal with over 200 calls about fallen trees, manhole covers popping off and needing replacing, flooded roads as well as attending road traffic collisions.

“They’re continuing to work hard to clear debris left by floodwater and assist on the road network where required.”

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is urging drivers and pedestrians not to attempt to negotiate flood water.

A crew was called to rescue a stranded motorist on Bindley’s Lane in Great Glen this morning and yesterday morning two people were rescued after becoming submerged in water at the skatepark on Farndon Road in Market Harborough.

Shops have placed sandbags in a bit to stop further flooding