Information for people affected by flooding

A significant number of homes and businesses in Chesterfield were affected by flooding.

Our teams are working directly with those affected to help remove damaged items and waste, and also clearing both contamination and debris from public areas that were affected by flooding. Our community development team has also been working with a number of community and voluntary sector organisations that have been supporting residents and businesses with the clearance and cleaning of their properties.

This page outlines support available to residents affected by flooding and provides answers to commonly asked questions. We will continue to update this with more information as it becomes available. Information is also available from the UK Health Security Agency on the Government website.

Please remember that tiredness, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety are normal in these circumstances. There are many places you can go to for support – please see the information below.

Government support for flood-hit areas

The Government has announced that communities impacted by flooding will benefit from funding support to help them recover from the impact of Storm Babet.

Residents - apply now

• Council Tax Discount: Households internally flooded or deemed to be unliveable for a period greater than 48 hours can claim a 100% council tax discount for a minimum of three months. Once a household has registered with us one of our officers may visit the property to assess if it meets the eligibility criteria.
• Community Recovery Grant: Flooded households in affected areas can apply for up to £500 to help with immediate costs. To be eligible, households will either have been internally flooded in habitable areas (not garages, sheds or cellars) or deemed to be unliveable for a period greater than 48 hours.

Households affected by flooding can apply online through My Chesterfield or by telephoning us on 01246 345013.

You will need a My Chesterfield account in order to complete the form online, find out more about the My Chesterfield sign up process. You will also need to provide a contact number and proof of your bank details for instance a recent statement from your bank. The Flood Recovery Grant form can be accessed through the online services section of My Chesterfield. 

Businesses

• Business Recovery Grant: Small-to-medium sized businesses in affected areas will be eligible for £2,500 to help them return quickly to business as usual. Further details on the scheme are currently awaited from the Government; businesses are asked to register with us so we can inform on the next steps as soon as possible.
• Business Rates Relief: Businesses may be eligible for 100% Rates Relief for a minimum of three months, where flood water entered the property, or the flooding seriously impacted upon the ability to trade from the property for over 48 hours. Once a business has registered with us one of our officers will visit the property to assess if it meets the eligibility criteria.

Businesses affected by flooding can apply online through My Chesterfield or by telephoning us on 01246 345013.

You will need a My Chesterfield account in order to complete the form online, find out more about the My Chesterfield sign up process. The Flood Recovery Grant form can be accessed through the online services section of My Chesterfield. 

You will also need to provide your business rates number (if known/applicable), company registered number (if applicable), VAT registration number (if applicable), insurance details (or declined insurance documentation), and bank details/statement.

Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme

In addition to the support above, 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. More details how this Scheme will operate will be publicised as soon as it is available.

Clean up and removal of waste

Our teams have continued to visit all areas of Chesterfield affected by flooding to clean the streets and collect waste items damaged by floodwater. They will continue to carry out kerbside collections of waste items without appointment until Friday 17 November.

From Monday 20 November we will continue to provide a free collection service for items like furniture, white goods, carpets, or other items described as bulky household waste, which are flood damaged. Households who have been affected by flooding and require such items to be collected, will however need to call us on 01246 345 345 to make arrangements for this waste to be collected.

From Monday 20 November we will be unable to collect waste items from the kerbside that are considered to be trade waste. Disposal of these items is the responsibility of the homeowner or the builder carrying out the work. For those households with building insurance, the costs of disposing of trade waste should be covered. Details of registered waste carriers can be found on the Government’s website; our contact centre also has details of local providers. If you come across any households who  are unsure as to how to arrange for such waste to be collected, then please encourage them to call us on 01246 345345.

Insurance

If you have home or business insurance, we have advised people that they should contact their insurer directly before any cleaning works. They will need details of the damage but can also offer additional help and support.

Emergency housing support

We are also continuing to work directly with affected households, and with our partners, to provide alternative accommodation for those who are unable to return home as a result of flood damage to their properties.

Over the past couple of days, we have seen an increase in the number of individuals and families requesting emergency accommodation and this is placing significant pressure on our homelessness services – with local emergency and temporary accommodation under immense pressure. To help ease this and ensure that accommodation can be offered to those most in need, we are strongly appealing for people to continue staying with friends or family where they can.

We continue to explore a range of alternative provision both locally and further afield to ensure we can provide accommodation to those most in need, and meet our legal duty to do so. We are looking at both short term and long-term provision. 

If people require housing help, they should call us soon as possible on 01246 345825.

Tenants

If you rent your home, you should contact your landlord or letting agent as soon as possible. They are responsible for repairs to your home from flood damage. 

Cleaning your home safely

Flood water could be contaminated and poses a risk to your health, you should take some basic steps to keep you and your family safe while cleaning up your flooded home.

You should wear appropriate protective equipment including boots, waterproof gloves and an apron to clean up. You may also consider wearing a face mask and goggles.

Do not turn on gas or electrics if they may have got wet. Only turn them on when they have been checked by a qualified technician.

You can find full guidance on cleaning and drying your home safely on the Government website.

Utilities

You should not attempt to reconnect the electricity or gas supply to your home following flooding until it has been checked by an engineer. Staff from National Grid are currently visiting affected areas to reconnect the electricity supply. You can contact the relevant agencies on the below numbers:

• National Grid - 0800 6783 405 
• Cadent (gas) - 0800 389 8000
• Yorkshire Water – 03451 242 424
• Severn Trent Water - 03457 500 500 / 0800 783 4444

Mental health and wellbeing

It is completely normal to experience tiredness, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety after a traumatic experience like flooding. If you need support with your mental health:

• Speak to your friends and family or your doctor.
• Call the Derbyshire Mental Health Support Line on 0800 028 0077 (24 hours per day, 7 days per week)
• Contact the Samaritans to talk to a trained volunteer anonymously, confidential support 24 hours a day – call 116 123.

Partner agencies offering support and advice

Other partner agencies can offer support and advice and a summary of this is listed below.

Derbyshire Law Centre provides free advice on all debt, specialising in housing and homelessness, housing-related debt (e.g. rent and mortgage arrears) and employment. Contact them by phone on 01246 550674 / 0800 707 6990, or find out more on the Derbyshire Law Centre website.

Citizens Advice North East Derbyshire offer general advice and specialist debt advice, open 9am - 2pm Monday to Friday, contact them by phone on 0808 250 5702 and find out more on the Citizens Advice North East Derbyshire website.

Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre offer independent advice and supporting in applying for benefits. Call the helpline on 01246 231441 or find out more on the Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre website.

East Midlands Chamber offer independent advice and support to businesses whether they are a Chamber member or not. Call the team on 0333 320 0333.