Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Winter 2015 floods: government response
Further flooding in northern England, government information and advice about support available.
Read all the current government information and advice about support available.
Current situation
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4 January: Anna Soubry in Croston, Lancashire to meet business owners recovering from the floods
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3 January: Prime Minister announces more than £40m for flood defences
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2 January: Communities warned to remain vigilant to new year flooding
Overall the weather situation has improved but further heavy rain is forecast on Sunday for parts of south-west England and later on Sunday into Monday across parts of north-east England. This wet weather brings a risk of flooding along parts of some rivers in Devon and Cornwall and in north-east England with the potential to disrupt travel in these areas. The River Ouse in York is set to remain high for several days. The River Severn will remain high in places, bringing a low risk of flooding in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire today and into next week.
The Environment Agency is continuing to monitor river levels closely and will issue further flood alerts and warnings if required. Teams continue to take action to reduce the potential effects of flooding, reinforcing existing defences, repairing damaged defences, and clearing river blockages.
Check for flood warnings
You should continue to check your flood risk and keep up to date by following @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter.
If you’re in Scotland please check the warnings on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency website. If you’re in Wales alerts are available from Natural Resources Wales. Information is also available for anyone in Northern Ireland.
Government support for homes, businesses, farmers and councils
In total the government’s investment in recovery from Storm Eva and Storm Desmond now amounts to nearly £200 million.
Households and businesses
We will:
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help the people directly affected by the floods – providing Local Authorities with over £500 for each household affected; for example, to help with temporary accommodation costs whilst we work to get people back into their homes - further details on this were announced on 19 December 2015 by the Department for Communities and Local Government
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support people as they protect their homes against future floods by providing grants of up to £5000, so they can install new flood barriers, replace doors and windows with water resistant alternatives, or move electricity sockets up to a safer level
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ensure flood affected businesses that have had their trading disrupted can get back on their feet, with funding equivalent to £2,500 provided to Local Authorities for each business affected and funding specifically provided for farmers to help restore their land
The Communities and Business Recovery Scheme is run by local authorities and will provide targeted support on the same basis as in the floods in 2013 to 2014.
Businesses caught up in the devastation of Storm Eva will be able to apply for £6 million of government money to get their doors back open to customers. Local Growth Hubs have more information and should be contacted on how to access the business support; specific contact details are summarised included in this press notice.
Flood affected communities will not face Council Tax or business rates bills for their homes and businesses for as long as they are out of their properties.
Farmers
Farmers affected by the recent flooding in Cumbria, Northumberland, Lancashire and Yorkshire can get grants worth up to £20,000 to help restore damaged agricultural land. We have published the form and guidance you’ll need to apply for the Farming Recovery Fund. Farmers experiencing difficulties getting online can call the Rural Payments helpline on 03000 200 301.
The Rural Payments Agency has published guidance about farm inspections, animal movements, TB testing, impacts on Basic Payment Scheme eligibility, and other Cross Compliance requirements.
The NFU has produced a newsletter for members affected by the flooding in the North East and North West. It contains information on where advice and funding is available to help with the recovery operation.
Local authorities
We have opened the Bellwin scheme for councils affected by floods resulting from storms Desmond and Eva. Under this scheme, councils can apply to have 100% of their costs above threshold reimbursed by the government.
Roads, transport and flood defences
We have announced that we will provide £40 million of funding to help repair flood-damaged roads and bridges in Cumbria and Lancashire.
We’re providing an additional £10 million so that the Environment Agency can repair flood defences that were damaged by Storm Desmond and we have announced a package of more than £40 million to rebuild and improve flood defences in the aftermath of Storm Eva. Of this, £10 million will be reserved to improve the Foss Barrier protecting York, which was overwhelmed at the height of Storm Eva. The other £30 million will be spent repairing defences on the Wharfe, Calder, Aire, Ouse and Derwent. It will include repairs to pumping and barriers and clearing blockages in rivers.
Charities
The government will support charities helping those caught up in each of the two recent storms by matching every pound of the first £2m raised in each case. Applications can be made by any registered charities that are currently running a fundraising appeal for flood relief to benefit each of the affected areas.
Sports facilities
Sport England has an emergency flood relief fund now amounting to £400,000 to help people repair sports pitches and facilities destroyed by this winter’s unprecedented rainfall. This will help clubs, local authorities and other community sports organisations in affected areas to help pay for emergency repairs to damaged facilities such as rugby and cricket pitches, water sports centres, pavilions, changing rooms and floodlights.
Government action on flood defences
Flood defences helped to protect 11,000 homes across the north of England, and provided vital time for homes and businesses to be evacuated as well as reducing the impact.
Over the next 6 years we will be investing £2.3 billion in flood defences which is a real terms increase on the £1.7 billion invested in the last Parliament. This in turn is a real terms increase on the £1.5 billion spent between 2005 and 2010.
In addition, flood maintenance spending will be protected in real terms over this Parliament.
Flood insurance
The insurance industry is responding with help for homeowners. The Association of British Insurers has published a film on how to protect your home if you live in a flood prone area, or make a claim if you’re recovering from a flood. You can find more information on the Association’s website.
Health
Guidance on recovering from floods:
Advice and information
- Flood warnings in England and Wales
- Sign up for flood warnings
- Prepare for a flood and get help during and after
Met Office
For the latest weather warnings visit the Met Office website or follow them on Twitter: @MetOffice.
Highways England
For advice on travel by road visit the Highways England website or follow them on Twitter: @HighwaysEngland.
National Rail
Check with National Rail Enquiries for the latest updates on service disruptions.
Government announcements
Monday 4 January 2016
Sunday 3 January 2016
Saturday 2 January 2016
Friday 1 January 2016
- Penny Mordaunt: Thank you to all our Armed Forces who have helped with the flooding response
- Further funding confirmed for flood-hit businesses
Thursday 31 December 2015
- Severe flood warnings removed but river levels remain high(Environment Agency)
- Farming Recovery Fund extended to all parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire
Wednesday 30 December 2015
- Prepare for further flooding: communities in Cumbria and Yorkshire warned (Environment Agency)
Tuesday 29 December 2015
- £50 million more immediate support for homes and business affected by floods
- Communities in Cumbria and Yorkshire warned by Environment Agency to prepare for further flooding
- Update on flooding - Tuesday 29 December
- York’s Foss Barrier now operational after emergency work
Monday 28 December 2015
- Update on flooding - Monday 28 December morning
- Sport England: Flood relief fund expanded to help more communities recover
Sunday 27 December 2015
- Winter 2015 floods: PM chairs COBR meeting
- Environment Agency warns people to remain vigilant as river levels continue to rise
- Update on flooding - Sunday 27 December morning
- £40 million to help rebuild flood-hit roads for people in Cumbria and Lancashire
Saturday 26 December 2015
- Update on flooding - Saturday 26 December evening
- Severe flood warnings issued: people urged to take immediate action (Environment Agency)
- Update on flooding - Saturday 26 December
Friday 25 December 2015
- Update on flooding - Friday 25 December
- Environment Agency warns of potential for significant flooding Christmas night into Boxing Day
- Army deploys to support flood relief efforts (MOD blog)
Thursday 24 December 2015
Wednesday 23 December 2015
Friday 18 December 2015
- Communities and Business Recovery Scheme - payments now available
- Recovery fund for flood-affected farmers opens
Thursday 17 December 2015
Monday 14 December 2015
Sunday 13 December 2015
Friday 11 December 2015
- Storm Desmond flood appeals - government doubles support
- Environment Agency supporting flooded communities and preparing for more rain this weekend
- RPA provides flood support for farmers and continues to make BPS payments
- December 2015 flooding and the Basic Payment Scheme: Useful reminders (guidance)
- How charities can help communities affected by flooding
- Update on flooding - Friday 11 December 2015
Thursday 10 December 2015
- Environment Agency focus on recovery as more rain forecast over the weekend
- Pump deployed to assist flood relief effort in Cumbria
- Update on flooding - Thursday 10 December
Wednesday 9 December 2015
- More rain forecast in the North of England
- Farming flood damage support announced
- £51 million more for homes and businesses affected by floods
- New funding for flood-affected businesses
- Update on flooding – Wednesday 9 December 2015
Tuesday 8 December 2015
- Environment Agency asks for continued vigilance throughout recovery
- Environment Secretary visits Cumbria and Lancashire
- Update on flooding – Tuesday 8 December 2015
- New funding to support flood-affected communities
- Greg Clark: Help with Council Tax and business rates for flood-hit communities
- Tax helpline available to support people affected by severe weather and flooding
Monday 7 December 2015
- Environment Secretary’s statement on flooding
- Update on flooding – Monday 7 December 2015
- Environment Agency urges vigilance as ongoing flood impacts continue across northern England today
- Helping farmers deal with flooding in the north west of England
