Storm Dennis: Six Evacuated Hood Court Residents Due To Return Home Soon Following Ashby Floods

Six people were forced out of their homes in sheltered housing area

Repairs are being carried out following water damage

North West Leicestershire District Council received 65 calls as storm hit

Council helped with overnight accommodation for one flooded out family

Sandbags were sent out to worst affected areas including Measham

Six residents of Ashby's Hood Court who were evacuated on Sunday due to the effects of Storm Dennis will be able to return home soon.

The North West Leicestershire District Council owned and managed sheltered housing was hit by flooding in the area around Hood Park and the Hood Park Leisure Centre.

Fire crews were called out with water affecting mainly communal corridors and a handful of flats.

But the Council has confirmed that six residents, whose flats had flood damage, were evacuated.

Repairs to the flooded areas have already begun and the Council says evacuated residents will be able to return to their homes as soon as possible.

The Council added that received 65 calls about the storm including flooding and wind damage.

It provided sandbags across the district, concentrating on particularly badly affected areas including Measham where there was significant flooding from the River Mease.

With the help of the Local Resilience Forum, the Council also arranged for overnight accommodation for one family from Appleby Magna, whose home had been flooded.

The Council supported the lead flood agency – Leicestershire County Council – over the weekend, checking on residents in the district who might have been affected by flooding

and storm damage.

Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of the District Council said: "Our staff worked very hard over the weekend to help those who were affected by flooding and I'd like to thank them for that work.

"During incidents like this we do everything we can to support the work of the lead flood authority, supplementing their efforts with extra sandbags and people on the ground."

Leicestershire County Council has issued its own warnings about taking care in the extreme weather conditons.

And the main one is: "Do not drive through flood water" which has been echoed by fire service, police and the Environment Agency.

Agencies have been working around-the-clock since Saturday to close roads, give out sandbags, rescue drivers and keep people safe as Storm Dennis took hold across Leicester and Leicestershire.

Areas particularly affected were in the north of the county and include Long Whatton, Measham, Diseworth, Sileby, Loughborough and Appleby Magna.

Flood warnings remain in place across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland – and residents are asked to sign up for alerts if they haven't already.

County Council highways teams received 130 reports over the weekend and 33 road closures remain in place including the A6 northbound near Zouch – drivers are urged to listen to local radio, follow Area Traffic Control on Twitter or visit https://one.network/ for the latest information.

Councillor Blake Pain, County Council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "Extra highways team were on duty 24/7 over the weekend helping to close roads and clear drains. We're still monitoring the weather and would urge drivers to check before they travel and take care."

Toby Willison, Executive Director of Operations at the Environment Agency, said: "Every home flooded is a tragedy for that family and our hearts go out to all those who have been flooded during Storm Dennis.

"Our teams will continue to work 24/7, alongside the Police, Fire and Rescue and local authorities to reduce the risk of flooding and keep communities safe.

"We expect disruptive weather into the middle of this week bringing a significant flood risk and there are flood warnings in place across much of England.

"Operational teams are out across England today. We have deployed temporary barriers and are operating 90 pumps across the country. We are also ready to operate our large flood defences as required, and so far we have protected nearly 20,000 properties from the impacts of Storm Dennis.

"With the effects of climate change, we are seeing more frequent periods of extreme weather. It is important for people to be aware of their flood risk and stay safe by signing up for flood warnings, making a flood plan and remembering not to drive or walk through flood water – it's not worth the risk."

Leicestershire Police has been working across the weekend with partner agencies including local authorities, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency and the Highways Agency to keep people safe, provide advice and to monitor the areas affected by the weather and flooding.

Inspector Graeme Baxter said: "We received more than 50 calls between the early hours of Sunday and Monday morning in relation to flooding and traffic issues regarding Storm Dennis and I know our partner agencies were also extremely busy with calls and responding to these. We'd like to thank everyone for your patience and co-operation.

"We continue to have officers out, working with partner agencies, to help keep areas safe, put in road closures where necessary and to ensure people are taking the right steps in order to ensure their own safety."

Residents are urged to: