Care urged by DCC as Storm Babet causes flooding across the county

Derbyshire County Council is urging people to take care when out and about over the next 48 hours as heavy rainfall from Storm Babet is causing flooding across the county.

Heavy rainfall is forecast until 6am Saturday 21st October. With the ground already saturated flooding from rivers is already causing issues on the roads. 

Multiple roads could flood, particularly those next to rivers, with many main roads expected to close.

The council is working with all the district and borough councils, and all the emergency services to coordinate work across Derbyshire.

District and borough councils have been filling sandbags, the county council has been out over the past few days clearing drains in known flooding hotspots.

The Environment Agency have listed a large number of flood warnings and flood alerts for Derbyshire.

Director of Highways, Julian Gould, said: “We’ve been working together for the past few days to prepare for Storm Babet, and the flooding it could cause.  We’d urge people only to travel for essential journeys from now until later on Saturday, and never to drive or walk through flood waters. 

“Once roads get overwhelmed by flood water we will work with the Police and act to close them by putting up barriers, but we ask everyone not to move the barriers once they are up. The waves created by vehicles in these flooded areas just cause more issues for those homes and businesses at the side of them."

Residents are urged to report life threatening events to the Police by calling 999. Any issues on the roads, such as trees down or flooding can be reported to the council at derbyshire.gov.uk/reportit

The county council, and district and borough councils have extra employees on call over the weekend. 

Households and businesses in known flooding areas are encouraged to start to take steps to protect their properties.

The council aims to keep a list of main roads closed due to flooding at derbyshire.gov.uk/floodingupdate, and will keep local people updated by regular updates on social media.