East Midlands flooding: Impact 'will be felt for many months'

The impact of flooding in the East Midlands "will be felt for many months" after communities in the region were devastated by Storm Henk.

More than 100 flooded properties were evacuated in Nottinghamshire after a major incident was declared on Thursday.

Homes and businesses have also been hit in Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

The Environment Agency said the region was "feeling the effects" of climate change.

More than 20 flood warnings remained in place for communities along the Trent Valley on Sunday afternoon, and residents were advised to make preparations in case they needed to evacuate.

Multiple road closures remain in place across Nottinghamshire, including along major routes in Newark, Rushcliffe, Gedling and Bassetlaw.

They include the A1133 at Girton, the A617 at Kelham, Low Street in Collingham and Manor Road, Shelford.

It comes after Nottinghamshire County Council issued a warning to 10 communities on Saturday as water levels reached historic levels.

People in Church Laneham, Cottam, Dunham-on-Trent, Fledborough, High and Low Marnham, as well as Marton, Ragnall and Torksey were told they are at risk of flooding.

The authority said the River Trent reached a record peak at the Torksey Lock gauge, with rising waters surpassing historic levels set in 2000.

Councillor Paul Taylor, from Newark and Sherwood District Council, said residents already hit by flooding in Newark had been through "pure hell".

He said: "It's really hard going at the moment. We have got volunteers, flood warnings and staff out from a range of agencies supporting people.

"Some villages are cut off. We're finding that we are having to help people get medication because they can't get out of their villages - a whole range of things.

"This is the third time in as many months that we've had issues with flooding."

The district council said on Saturday that it would deliver emergency supplies to residents who had been left stranded in Girton.

Councillor Neil Clarke, cabinet member for environment at the county council, added: "My heart goes out to people who are flooded - it's a traumatic experience.

"While the water may disappear in the next days, the ongoing consequences will be felt for many months."

River gauges show the River Trent reached a high of 8.7ft (2.65m) on Friday at Farndon, close to the record level of 9ft (2.76m) seen in November 2000.

Ken Button, who works at Kirk and Bill's, a furniture workshop in Farndon Road, Newark, said water had risen up through the floorboards and drains.

He added: "This is the second time I can ever remember it happening. It's been a terrible start to the new year."

The county council said many households had been given temporary accommodation, while rest centres had been set up at community sites like Newark Leisure Centre.

Environment Agency flood warnings have been issued to areas like Holme Pierrepont, Barrow upon Trent and at Castle Donington around Kings Mill.

In Leicestershire, more than 100 homes became deluged in flood water in areas including Loughborough, Syston, Quorn and Cossington.

Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: "Leicestershire has seen the worst flooding for many years and we're working round-the-clock, alongside partners, to support people.

"Unlocking national support is vital. Homes and businesses are damaged and having a pretty torrid time so we want to do everything we can to secure extra support."

Flood-hit communities will be able to apply for funding from the government under its Flood Recovery Framework to help them deal with any damage inflicted.

Meanwhile in Derbyshire, Willington and Sudbury were among the worst affected areas in the county, and a number of cows drowned in a field in Sawley, close to the M1.

All Saints' Church in South Wingfield, near Alfreton, had been shut since October after initially being devastated by Storm Babet.

Church warden Mark Irving said the building had been hit again in recent days - and water damage could set them back up to £20,000.

"We've had several major floods but nothing as high as it got in October," he added. "It was about 18 inches (0.46m) inside the church and inside our hall, which is the other side of the yard.

"After the most recent floods, we'll have to replace our organ entirely, the kneelers on our pews will have to be restored and in the hall there's a lot of water damage to the floor and the halls.

"It will take us four or five months to restore it to normal order.

"It's very upsetting because a lot of local people have family buried in the church yard and because of flooding, flowers are scattered around and there's debris everywhere from the river."

Alex McDonald, of the Environment Agency, said the nation must become "more resilient" to flooding.

"We're seeing a large number of big events, and this winter has been particularly bad since October," he said.

"So we need to look at how we can work with communities to build that better, to help install property flood resilience measures to people's homes, to make sure people are signed up to flood warnings and understand their risks and look at how we can work with local authorities around flood protection measures we can offer to communities."

Additional reporting by Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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