The Leader of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Barry Lewis has issued a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has pulled together to deal with the extensive flooding and disruption caused by Storm Babet.
Speaking in the aftermath of the storm which brought unprecedented rainfall and led to the death of seven people across the UK, including a Derbyshire grandmother, Councillor Lewis said he was “heartened” by the community spirit shown and passed on his sincere condolences to the family.
Councillor Lewis said: “To all the people who’ve helped each other to deal with floods and are now dealing with the aftermath, I’d like to thank you for supporting each other. I’ve been heartened by the community spirit shown by residents who stepped up to help those in need in support of the relief effort and all agencies involved in the response both during and in the aftermath of the storm. I’d like to thank local people for their ongoing resilience, cooperation and pulling together to support each other during such challenging circumstances.”
He added: “Already many people are offering help to those who have been badly affected and offered support for the clean-up and recovery.
“The resilience and fortitude of our residents, supported by local authorities and partners, has been remarkable and I’d like to thank everyone for working so hard to help at our time of need.
“Tragically, we’ve learned a Derbyshire resident has died during the storm and our sympathy goes out to her family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
Over the course of 18 hours a month’s rain fell on already saturated ground which caused rivers to burst their banks and inundate roads and communities. Across the county in the region of 1,700 properties were flooded although this number is an estimate and isn’t yet fully confirmed.
Everything is now being done to help with the clear up, including the county council’s highways teams and district and borough councils sweeping and cleaning affected roads as quickly as they can.
"But with 200 roads closed at the height of the flooding, more rain overnight and more forecast this afternoon, it’s going to be a challenge", said Councillor Lewis.
“We will continue to work together to help all residents through this period of bad weather and I’d like to thank everybody who has worked tirelessly around the clock to help Derbyshire through this incredibly difficult time,” he said.
“This includes council officers from across Derbyshire working together on a co-ordinated flood response with the emergency services and other agencies to help those affected.
“Everyone has given their all, including Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and the police who rescued flood victims, highways officers who closed roads and dealt with the impact of the flooding on the roads as best they could, district and borough councils who provided sandbags among other support and all the volunteers such as the Derbyshire Emergency Volunteers, mountain rescue and 4x4 drivers who helped with rescues and those affected.”
Councillor Lewis confirmed he has written to the Government asking for additional funding for the clean-up operation.
Find support and advice for those affected by flooding on the county council’s website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/floodsupport
A small number of roads remain closed. For the latest on weather-related road closures visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/roadsupdate