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Posted: Mon 8th Jan 2024
Businesses impacted by Storm Henk will be able to access grants of up to £2,500 and a pause in business rates for at least three months.
As with Storm Babet last October, the government said businesses affected by "exceptional localised flooding" in eligible areas of England can apply for the funding via the Business Recovery Grant scheme.
Eligible flood-hit property owners can also apply for up to £5,000 to help make their business more resilient to future flooding via the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant scheme, while farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their land will be able to receive grants of up to £25,000 through the Farming Recovery Fund.
Business owners who think they are eligible for the funding should contact their local council for more details.
As of 1.54pm on Monday 8 January, 142 flood warnings (flooding is expected) and 143 flood alerts (flooding is possible) are in place. Around 2,000 properties have been flooded.
Katharine Smith, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said:
"Significant flooding is expected to continue along the lower River Trent today, while minor impacts are expected in parts of the Midlands and on the River Thames and probable along the River Severn until Wednesday.
"Groundwater flooding is expected across parts of Dorset, Wiltshire and West Hampshire and also possible more widely across parts of the south of the country and in Yorkshire and the Humber until Friday.
"Environment Agency teams are out on the ground, working to minimise the impacts of flooding where possible by operating flood defences and clearing watercourses. So far, nearly 75,000 properties have been protected in the last few days.
"We urge people not to drive though flood water and follow advice of local emergency services on the roads. Flood water is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm is enough to float your car.
"People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on X, formerly Twitter, for the latest flood updates."
Households "significantly affected" by Storm Henk can apply for up to £500 and 100% council tax relief for at least three months. They can also access up to £5,000 to help make their homes more resilient to future flooding.
