FLOOD warnings for the River Erewash have been issued amid Storm Babet – with the council’s emergency teams in action around the borough.
Ilkeston was put on notice by the Environment Agency that the river’s banks were likely to overflow amid overnight downpours.
The non-stop drenching had left many roads with standing water by this morning (Friday 20 October). Some were almost impassable, with witnesses saying the routes were “getting worse”.
Breadsall was among other places hard hit – along with Long Eaton, Sandiacre, Breaston, and Draycott.
In Little Eaton 200 sandbags and three tonnes of sand were delivered to the village hall.
An Erewash Borough Council official said: “Our staff and all key partners are out doing their best for residents in difficult circumstances.
“Problems are expected to carry on for the next 24 hours.”
Forecasters warn heavy rain will continue until Saturday. Worried residents can find information on what to do on the Erewash Borough Council website here:
This includes details on how to get sandbags. For life-threatening emergencies residents should call 999.
It is the county council that is tasked with leading the response to flooding, including marshalling emergency services. Info is here:
Flooding – Derbyshire County Council
The county council was also issuing updates via social media about road closures. Erewash Borough Council Leader James Dawson said amid yellow flood alerts across most of the Midlands:
“Floods have caused misery for local people in the past – especially in Ilkeston. We are urging residents to familiarise themselves with what to do by checking official websites – including the borough council’s – and by keeping tabs on the storm’s progress via the Environment Agency’s updates.”
