THE Leader of East Lindsey District Council, Councillor Doreen Stephenson, said:

"We all learnt a very hard lesson last year and as a Council we have done all that we can to ensure that we are better prepared for any future emergency.  In some cases this has meant direct practical help or simply providing respite to a family living in difficult circumstances.  It may have been talking to builders or insurance companies to put a sense of urgency to getting properties completed or it may have been working with partners and landowners to provide long-term solutions to flooding problems, such as the new drainage scheme in Willoughby.  We also recognise that the impact of the flooding goes on.  We continue to work with some families still trying to cope with the damage and distress caused by last summer’s devastation. Any who feels we can still assist should contact us directly. Emergencies are about pulling together as a community and I very much hope that we have learnt that lesson as well."

Facts and figures:

Nationally:

• 13 Fatalities; 48,000 homes flooded; 7,000 businesses flooded; 35,000 homes without water; 40,000 homes without electricity; 10,000 vehicles stranded on the M5.

East Lindsey:

• 750 homes flooded in 70 Parishes; 40,000 sandbags used/issued; 200 tonnes of sand used; rest Centres opened; accommodation provided; post flooding assistance. 26 families still out of their homes in temporary accommodation.

Financial Assistance:

• £380k received from Government; £373k has been paid in grants; 476 households have received assistance based on need; 24k Red Cross grants to local organisations (Renew, Kings Outreach)

Drainage Team formed to provide advice and assistance to communities:

• 71 drainage issues investigated; 50 Parishes involved; 26 drainage issues already resolved; Inter-Agency Forum continues; Surface Water Flood Forum; 33 drainage schemes ongoing – an example being Willoughby, where the Council is working with the Drainage Board to resolve flood risk issues.

Parish Self-help:

• 20 Parish Emergency Plan/Directories received; 24,300 sandbags provided for retention within Parish; 36 tonnes of sand reimbursed.