Support grants distributed to flood hit properties in East Lindsey
Nearly £30,000 of grants have been given to households which were flooded across the district following the storms in 2023.
In October 2023, severe flood warnings were issued following excessive rainfall, leading to groundwater and the rise of river levels in the area. Flood defence in Horncastle were breached causing damage to homes and businesses within the town and throughout villages near to the banks of the River Bain.
Lincolnshire Community Foundation (LCF) recognised the immediate need for assistance, and worked to administer grants on behalf of East Lindsey District Council and other local groups, totalling £29,085. The grants, which were directly paid by LCF to residents in flood-hit homes, consisted of donations from:
• East Lindsey District Council - £25,000
• Horncastle and District Lions - £1,085
• Horncastle Health and Wellbeing Fund (via LCF) - £1,000
• Horncastle Town Council - £2,000
The grants were towards cleaning, emergency repairs, heating, basic furniture and white goods and alternative accommodation costs, with some residents asking for help to purchase dehumidifiers, replacement carpet underlay, or towards their excess for insurance claims.
Alongside the distribution of these funds there was extensive work taken by the council to identify those flooded householders who are entitled to other grants and Government support. With approximately 243 properties internally flooded and 34 businesses, 154 Community Recovery Grants totalling £77,000 and 201 council tax discounts totalling £101,689 both funded by Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities and 13 businesses supported totalling £32,500 funded by Department of Business and Trade.
Cllr Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council, said: "I saw with my own eyes the devastation caused by Storm Babet, with homes in Horncastle particularly hard hit. I hope this funding gave some financial relief to those impacted and relieved some of that immediate pressure that was put upon them through no fault of their own.
"Storm Babet caused damage to around 243 homes in October, and was shortly followed by Storm Henk in January 2024, which put the fear back into many of our residents for the second time in a matter of months. The council workforce were out in the worst hit areas supporting our residents in the aftermath and will continue to provide support for as long as our residents need it."
Households and businesses significantly affected by recent flooding also qualified for one hundred per cent council tax and business rates relief for at least three months.
Any home or business owners who experienced internal flooding during Storm Henk please contact us for more information on available funding, please email Niki.Shepheard@boston.gov.uk