Renewed Calls For Action After Flooding

Renewed calls for action are being made a fortnight after severe flooding in parts of the Harborough district.

Revised figures show over 70 homes and businesses were affected, among nearly 900 properties across Leicestershire.

Great Glen was the area worst hit across Harborough, after a brook leading to the River Sence burst its banks on January 6th.

Harborough’s MP Neil O’Brien has met officials from the Environment Agency to discuss what happened and measures being taken to prevent a repeat of it.

He told HFM they also agreed to meet with villagers, as calls continue to be made for government support:

The Italian Greyhound pub in Great Glen was flooded for the third time in two years, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Manager Luigi Falcini says urgent action is needed to stop it happening again:

More details of acts of bravery on the day of the flooding in Great Glen have emerged.

Matthew Pollard waded through deep water to rescue an elderly woman, who was trapped upstairs in her flood-hit home on Church Road:

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.”

Zafar Saleem, Leicestershire County Council assistant chief executive and chair of the partnership recovery group, said: “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.”

Last week, councils across Leicestershire and Rutland wrote to the government, asking for financial support and a shakeup of the national approach to flooding.