We know this is a very difficult time for residents and businesses who have been affected by flooding after unprecedented rain caused rivers, streams and canals to burst their banks across the county.
We've been heartened by the community spirit shown by residents who stepped up to help those in need in support of the relief effort.
All agencies involved in the response both during and in the aftermath of Storm Babet would like to thank local people for their ongoing resilience, co-operation, and pulling together to support each other during such challenging circumstances.
Flood recovery grants
If your home or business was flooded during Storm Babet, you may be eligible for support from the government's flood recovery fund.
District and borough councils across Derbyshire have begun rolling-out recovery support for properties flooded between 19 October 2023 and 25 October 2023.
They are processing the following financial support schemes:
- community recovery grant - £500 per flooded household
- Council Tax discounts
- business rates relief
- business recovery grant
Information about the schemes and how to apply is available from your local district or borough council (the one you pay your council tax to):
Property flood resilience scheme
In addition to the grants being processed by district and borough councils, property-owners affected by flooding will also be able to apply for up to £5,000 from the government's property flood resilience scheme.
We are responsible for distributing grants from the government's property flood resilience scheme to eligible properties in Derbyshire.
Property-owners affected by flooding will be able to apply for up to £5,000 to help pay for work to protect their property from further flooding in the future.
We realise that the money the government is making available is urgently needed and we're working as quickly as possible to put the necessary arrangements in place to get it to those who need it.
Details on the scheme are now available on our property flood resilience scheme page.
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:
Clearing up after flooding at home or a business
You can find advice and information on what to do about cleaning up and returning home after flooding.
Support is also available for anyone whose home has been affected by flooding from:
Home insurance and flood cover
If your home is more likely to flood, then insurers may need to charge higher insurance premiums.
Flood Re is a joint initiative between the government and insurers. It aims to make the flood cover part of insurance policies more affordable. Flood Re is not available for businesses or homes built after 2008.
Specialist insurance providers such as Flood Assist insurance services may also be able to help you.
Support and information from district and borough councils
Find out about any local flooding support and advice offered by your district or borough council:
You can find your local council on gov.uk.
Other support and advice
There are a number of organisations that provide support on a wide range of flooding related issues and impacts:
Support for people experiencing homelessness
Support is available for anyone who is experiencing homelessness in Derbyshire. Housing advice and services are delivered by district and borough councils and anyone with concerns should contact their local council directly:
You can find your local council on gov.uk.
Concerns about an adult or child
If you're concerned that an adult or child in Derbyshire may be experiencing, or be at risk of, abuse or neglect, please contact Call Derbyshire:
- from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, or from 9.30am to 4pm on Saturdays tel: 01629 533190
- from 5pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24 hours per day at weekends and on bank holidays (for social care concerns only) tel: 01629 532600
- if it's an emergency and a person is in immediate danger, please tel: 999
Staying safe around water
Please take care when you're out and about. While flood water is receding in places, many rivers and streams will remain very full and fast-flowing for several days.
Keep away from riverbanks and paths close to rivers - the paths may have become unstable and slippery.
Never enter the water to rescue anyone, or an animal in difficulty in the water. Tel: 999 immediately and tell them to float on their back.
Dog-walkers are advised to keep their furry friends on leads close to water to help keep them safe. Dogs running free risk struggling to slow themselves on slippery banks and paths and end up in deep or fast-flowing water.
Read water safety advice from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Clearing roads
Our highways team have been working round the clock to deal with the aftermath of flooding on our roads. We look after more than 3,000 miles of roads across Derbyshire and the vast majority have been affected in some way.
There are still road closures in place while we work our way around the county clearing roads of debris left by floodwater and making sure routes are safe to travel on. District and borough councils are assisting by sweeping roads clear of silt and mud.
We're working as fast as we can to reopen roads but it's going to take some time, so please take note of road closure signs which are there for your safety – and please don't ignore them or remove them.
Many road surfaces will have been damaged by the flooding, so please drive carefully and if you spot a problem on one of our routes, please let us know by report a road fault to us.
For the latest situation on Derbyshire's roads, see our information about weather-related road closures.
Sign up for flood alerts
Sign up to the government's free flood warning service. You'll need to provide the address you want flood warnings for, an email address, and the best way to contact you with a warning (email, call or text).
You can also find out how best to prepare for any future flooding.