Storm Babet

Financial aid for flood-affected properties in Suffolk imminent as number of reports hits 750

Suffolk residents who experienced exceptional property flooding during Storm Babet will start receiving financial support during November.

Following the recent Government announcement of grants and council tax reductions through the Flood Recovery Framework, councils in Suffolk have received 750 reports of internal flooding to homes or businesses, and this number is expected to increase.

Suffolk councils are working together, with Suffolk County Council collecting information and assessing the reports, and the district and borough councils distributing the funding to eligible property owners.

All reports of property flooding need to be submitted via the Suffolk County Council reporting tool now.

Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s leader, said:

“We are committed to ensuring this vital financial support finds its way into the hands of those who need it. I encourage those who have not yet submitted a report via the reporting tool to do so as soon as possible.”

Households and businesses that suffered internal flooding between 19 - 25 October 2023 due to Storm Babet may be eligible for:

• A grant (£500 for homes and £2,500 per business) to assist with initial recovery costs.
• Households and businesses that suffered internal flooding between 19 -25 October due to Storm Babet may be eligible for 100% discount to council tax / business rates for a minimum of 3 months.
• Flooded property owners will also be able to apply for up to £5,000 to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding. Suffolk County Council is working to set this scheme up at the earliest opportunity, but it is not currently available.

Suffolk County Council is working in partnership with Babergh and Mid-Suffolk, East Suffolk, Ipswich and West Suffolk councils to ensure these discounts and payments start during November.

Reporting your flood damage is the first step to receiving a potential payout.

 

Here are the current messages from Suffolk County Council on the ongoing response to Storm Babet. 

1. Reporting Flood Damage to properties or businesses

Residents or businesses who have experienced flood related damage are being asked to report this online via the Highways Reporting Tool, available on our website here: www.suffolk.gov.uk/ReportFlood.

How to use the Reporting Tool:

Click on Report It, then click Drainage and Flooding and select the most appropriate drop-down option. Please include as much information as you have, there is also an option to upload photos.

What if I can't report online?

A family member/friend could report online on your behalf, or if you do not have access to the internet, you should call the SCC customer service number: 0345 606 6171.

2. Government Support.

On 25th October, the Government announced funding to help communities recover from the impact of Storm Babet.

• Flooded households in affected areas can apply for up to £500 to give cash quickly to help with immediate costs. 
• Households and businesses significantly affected by recent flooding will be eligible for 100% council tax and business rates relief for at least three months.
• Small-to-medium sized businesses in affected areas will be eligible for up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant to help them return quickly to business as usual. 
• Eligible flood-hit property owners will be able to apply for up to £5,000 to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding via the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme. 

Eligibility

The support will be made available through a scheme known as the Flood Recovery Framework,

Suffolk County Council are still awaiting all the details from Government and will share more once we have it. In the meantime, it is essential that if you, or your business, suffered significant flood related damage, you report this online via the Highways Reporting Tool on www.suffolk.gov.uk/ReportFlood

You can read more on the GOV.uk website.  

www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-support-for-flood-hit-areas

 

3. Highways Repairs and clean-up.

Suffolk Highways continues to respond as quickly as possible to damage caused to the highways from Storm Babet, and have already dealt with:

• 172 emergency reports,
• pumped away 2.5 million litres of water,
• cleared 53 tonnes of debris,
• removed 19 fallen trees.

Residents are encouraged to report any issues with the roads online via the Highways Reporting Tool – http://highwaysreporting.suffolk.gov.uk/

Do not report a highways problem online if:

• it poses an immediate danger to public safety - call 0345 606 6171.
• it’s on a trunk road in Suffolk - call the National Highways Information Line on 0300 123 5000

More information about Storm Babet is available on the Suffolk County Council website: www.suffolk.gov.uk/stormbabet