Households and businesses in Suffolk that suffered internal flooding between 19 and 25 October 2023 during Storm Babet are to receive financial support from November 2023, Suffolk County Council announced on 10 November 2023. The funding follows the Government's announcement of grants and council tax reductions through the Flood Recovery Framework1.
Councils in Suffolk had received 750 reports of internal flooding to homes or businesses by the date of the announcement, and the council said this number was expected to increase1. Suffolk County Council is collecting information and assessing the reports, while the district and borough councils are distributing the funding to eligible property owners. The county council is working with Babergh and Mid-Suffolk, East Suffolk, Ipswich and West Suffolk councils to ensure the discounts and payments start during November1.
Households and businesses that suffered internal flooding between 19 and 25 October 2023 due to Storm Babet may be eligible for the following support1:
| Support | Amount or terms |
|---|---|
| Recovery grant | £500 for homes; £2,500 per business, to assist with initial recovery costs |
| Council tax / business rates discount | 100% discount for a minimum of 3 months |
| Property resilience funding | Up to £5,000 to help make homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding; the county council said it was working to set this scheme up at the earliest opportunity, but it was not currently available |
Reporting flood damage is the first step to receiving a potential payout. The county council asks anyone who experienced flooding to their property as a result of Storm Babet to submit a report through its highways reporting tool, selecting "Report It", then "Drainage and Flooding", then "Flooding inside residential / non-residential property", with as much information as possible and an option to upload photos. Once a report is submitted, county council officers contact the reporter to gather further information and prioritise locations that meet the criteria for an official investigation, after which someone from the district or borough council makes contact to arrange payment if eligible. Those unable to report online can call 0345 606 61711.
Councillor Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council, said:
"We are committed to ensuring this vital financial support finds its way into the hands of those who need it. I encourage those who have not yet submitted a report via the reporting tool to do so as soon as possible."
Why it matters for households
The support is limited to households and businesses that suffered internal flooding in Suffolk between 19 and 25 October 2023 as a result of Storm Babet, and eligibility is assessed from the reports submitted to the county council1. The practical effect for affected residents is a £500 recovery grant for homes, a three-month minimum 100% council tax discount, and access to up to £5,000 for resilience work once that scheme opens; the resilience funding was not available at the time of the announcement1. The council's own advice is that reporting the damage is the first step to a potential payout, and that reports should be submitted as soon as possible1. The flooding guide sets out what households face after internal flooding, and the home insurance guide covers insurance in flood risk areas. The flood warnings guide explains the meaning of flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings, and the mental health guide lists where support is available after a flood.
What happens next
Payments and council tax and business rates discounts were due to start during November 2023, distributed by the district and borough councils1. The county council said it was working to set up the scheme for up to £5,000 in resilience funding at the earliest opportunity, and that it was not currently available at the time of the announcement1. No further dates for that scheme have been reported.
Sources (1)
- suffolk.gov.uk, suffolk.gov.uk
