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Flooding

Affected by flooding in October by Storm Babet? Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Repair Grant Funding available

If your home or business was flooded during Storm Babet you may be eligible for support from the Government.  You can find out more information on the Government’s response.

Properties which were flooded between 19 October 2023 and 25 October 2023 may be eligible for Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Repair Grant funding of up to £5,000.

Please note that there are strict funding criteria which need to be met and consider the requirements before applying.

The funding is a contribution towards remedial work to protect properties from future flooding. 

A £500 contribution towards a property survey is included in the £5,000.  The funding may not cover all the survey or property flood resilience costs involved; the property owner will need to pay for these additional costs.

Key Criteria

  • Only applies to flooded properties during Storm Babet (19.10.23 to 25.10.23)
  • Up to £5,000 (inc VAT) per affected property which includes a maximum £500 survey contribution. If the survey itself costs more than £500 the additional cost must be met by the property owner.
  • A property survey is required and the cost must be paid up front by the property owner.  The cost of the survey is non-refundable.
  • Property owners will need to apply for the grant to their own local District or Borough Council.
  • Property owners must have reported their flooded property information to their local District or Borough Council or via Nottinghamshire County Council Flood Team flood.team@nottscc.gov.uk or telephone Amy Perry (0115 804 2163).

The deadline for reporting affected properties is Sunday 21 January 2024.

  • Any funding awards will be paid directly to the approved contractor who will be completing the survey and remedial works.  Nottinghamshire County Council will appoint the approved contractor to complete the agreed works.
  • Money will not be reimbursed if works are not completed.  Funding is given for improvements to reduce future flood damage and is not compensation for Storm Babet.
  • Properties which have previously received PFR Repair Grant funding are not eligible to apply again, unless exceptional circumstances apply; please speak with your own local District or Borough Council if this applies to you.
  • Change of property ownership does not permit additional PFR funding.

The PFR Repair Grant Funding Scheme Ends on 1st August 2025, however property owners must make an application for the funding as soon as possible to ensure the remedial works are completed by this time.

Property owners should contact us for more information and how to apply by emailing cdouglas@rushcliffe.gov.uk 

Mental health support

We know how frightening it can be to deal with the threat of flooding or seeing your home or business flooded. It is normal to feel upset, anxious, tired and have difficulty sleeping when our lives are significantly disrupted through events like flooding.

Sadly, it can take a long time for life to return to normal, so if you've been affected it can be a good idea to turn to friends and family for support if you are able. Help is available from elsewhere too, and some of the many places you can go to for support include:

Contents

Localised flooding

Please contact us on the numbers below‎ for assistance. FAQs on flooding support and information on what to do before and after a flood are available at the bottom of this page.

Tel: 0115 981 9911 (8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)

Tel: 0115 981 1143 (outside usual opening times, for emergencies only)

Streetwise will have teams on standby to assist communities.

Flood warnings

For the latest flood warnings please visit Check Your Flood Risk

Requesting sandbags and protecting your home

If you experienced flooding issues in October 2023 and received sandbags from our Streetwise team, please keep them for possible future use.

If your home is at risk of flooding and you are unable to acquire your own sandbags, it is a householder's responsibility to acquire their own sandbags.

Where possible please source from local providers below as the Council prioritise stocks for vulnerable and elderly people in our communities and do not have an unlimited supply.

These include:

B&Q, Riverside Retail Park, Queens Drive, Wilford, Nottingham NG2 1RU

John A. Stephens, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham NG2 1AG

Please note that we and fellow local authorities will not be able to respond to all sandbag requests if flooding is widespread. In such instances, priority will be given to those residents that are most at risk and unable to help themselves. 

Sandbags will be provided to avoid internal flooding of homes but not for protecting gardens or outbuildings such as sheds or garages.

It is unlikely that sandbags will be provided to businesses as we must prioritise support to those most vulnerable during a flood.

We are responding as quickly as possible to requests. 

If you do receive any from any agency, please retain your sandbags for future use.

Please contact us on the numbers below‎ for assistance.

Tel: 0115 981 9911 (8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)

Tel: 0115 981 1143 (outside usual opening times, for emergencies only)

Frequently Asked Questions (before a flood)

Information on preparing for a flood is also available from the Environment Agency.

1. Flood protection

Home-owners and businesses are responsible for protecting their properties from flooding.

Households that rely upon sandbags to protect their property should purchase them in advance from local DIY stores, building merchants or online retailers. Please note that sandbags must be placed properly in order to provide suitable protection.

Sandbags are also relatively ineffective when compared to other flood protection measures. The National Flood Forum's Blue Pages directory lists a variety of products that may be more suitable for your property.

If your property has flooded before, we would strongly recommend that you consider purchasing some form of flood protection.

2. How do I find out if my property is at risk of flooding?

The flood maps on the Environment Agency's website can be used to ascertain how vulnerable your property is to different types of flooding.

3. Where can I find the latest weather / flooding forecast?

Residents at risk of fluvial flooding can sign-up to warnings from the Environment Agency’s Floodline service. The Environment Agency also publishes information on river levels.

Weather forecasts are available from the Met Office.

4. Who is responsible for managing flood risk?

The Environment Agency is responsible for managing main rivers, such as the River Trent and the River Soar.

Nottinghamshire County Council is a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and has powers and duties for managing flooding from local sources. The County Council works with the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) and other local authorities to manage flood risk.

Riparian owners are normally responsible for maintaining the stretch of watercourse that is on their land. The Environment Agency has published a guide on the responsibilities of riparian owners.

5. What types of flood protection are available?

Sandbags are relatively ineffective when compared to purpose-designed flood protection measures. There are a number of alternative products available, many of which can be stored safely and hygienically inside your property until they need to be used.

The National Flood Forum's Blue Pages directory lists a variety of products that might be suitable. Before purchasing a particular product ensure it has a Kitemark symbol or equivalent accreditation so you are assured  it has been tested properly.

6. Where can I get advice on insurance?

Property-owners should have adequate building and contents insurance in place. The National Flood Forum provides independent advice on how to obtain insurance for properties at risk of flooding; this also includes guidance on reducing your premium or excess. Further information on insurance is available from the Environment Agency.

If you live in accommodation provided by a housing association, it is usually the case that your building insurance is provided but you will still need to obtain contents insurance. Please check with your housing association if you are unsure as to what type of insurance is required.

7. What other actions can I take to prepare myself?

Advice on developing a personal flood plan is available from the Environment Agency. Guidance on preparing for emergencies is also available from Nottinghamshire County Council.

Parish / town councils and neighbourhood groups may wish to develop a community emergency plan.

8. What other information is available?

The National Flood Forum provides support to individuals and local community groups wishing to lessen the impact of flooding on their communities.

The ‘Know Your Flood Risk’ website describes the various types of flooding that can occur and offers guidance on how to protect your property.

The Flood Protection Association is the industry association for flood protection suppliers.

Frequently Asked Questions (during a flood)

Responding to a flood

Information is also available from the Environment Agency.

1.  I’m in danger, or my neighbour is in danger.

Ring the emergency services (999) and tune into local television and radio for updates. Do not take any chances with your own safety, or the safety of others.

If you are able to, please remember to check on the welfare of your neighbours.

2. What hazards should I be aware of?

Members of the public are reminded not to enter floodwater as hidden hazards, such as lifted manhole covers, may lie beneath the surface.

Motorists are warned to think before they drive through floodwater, not only because of the risk of getting stuck but also because they could inadvertently cause flooding to nearby properties. Advice on driving in poor conditions is available on the AA’s website.

Floodwater is often contaminated and care should be taken when handling any material that has been in contact with it. Information on the health implications of flooding is available from Public Health England .

3. Where can I obtain sandbags?

Home-owners and businesses are responsible for protecting their properties from flooding. Households that rely upon sandbags to protect their property should purchase them from local DIY stores or building merchants. Please note that sandbags must be placed properly in order to provide suitable protection.

If your home is at risk of flooding and you are unable to acquire your own sandbags, we may be able to help. Please contact the Rushcliffe Customer Service Centre for assistance.

Please note that local authorities will not be able to respond to all sandbag requests if flooding is widespread. In such instances Rushcliffe Borough Council will give priority to residents that are most at risk and unable to help themselves.

It is unlikely that sandbags will be provided to businesses as we must prioritise support to those most vulnerable during a flood. Nor will sandbags be provided for protecting gardens or outbuildings (e.g. sheds, garages).

4. Who should I notify about flooding on the road network?

Nottinghamshire County Council is responsible for the highway network. If a road frequently floods, or has very large amounts of standing water on it, please report standing water online or contact Nottinghamshire County Council’s customer service centre.

5. Who should I notify about sewer flooding?

If you think the flooding in your area contains foul water from a sewer, please contact Severn Trent Water.

6. How do I find out about disruption to the road network and other public services?

Nottinghamshire County Council’s website provides information about disruption to services, including road closures and school closures. ‘Nottingham Travelwise’ publicises traffic disruption via Twitter.

Please also listen to your local radio station for the latest traffic updates.

7. What happens if properties are evacuated?

If flooding is severe, the emergency services may recommend that residents evacuate their property. Evacuees will be directed to a place of safety where an initial assessment of their needs will be made.

Depending on the scale, duration and nature of the evacuation, residents may be temporarily re-housed in hotels, bed & breakfasts, hostels, residential homes or other temporary accommodation according to their needs. Many evacuees prefer to stay with family or friends as this often provides the most comfortable and supportive environment.

In the event of a large-scale evacuation, local authorities may open a rest centre. This is a facility, such as a leisure centre, where the immediate welfare needs of evacuees can be met.

Emergency Planning