Rotherham Council have announced money will be distributed to people who were affected by the flooding which battered Rotherham last month.

The funds, which reach a total of around £167,000, have been administered to 167 households so far across the borough, averaging at around £1,000 per household.

It includes a £350 council grant, a £150 grant from the £20,000 council contribution to the South Yorkshire Community Foundation Appeal, as well as a £500 government grant. 

Council Leader, Chris Read said: “I saw with my own eyes the devastation caused by Storm Babet, with homes in Catcliffe particularly hard hit.

“This funding we hope will provide immediate financial relief to those impacted by hardship that has been caused by flooding.

“Over the last three weeks since the storm hit, causing damage to around 180 homes, we have had a fifth of our workforce out in the worst hit areas supporting our residents in the aftermath.

“We have been there supporting our residents through this crisis from the early hours of 21 October and we will continue to support them in the coming weeks and months.”

The financial support from the council was set up just days after the flooding hit with further support announced by the government last week. 

This scheme is known as the Flood Recovery Framework, which is only used in exceptional circumstances to help councils and communities who have been impacted by severe flooding.

It comes after the River Rother reached its highest recorded level on 21 October following the chaos caused by Storm Babet.

Households and businesses significantly affected by recent flooding also qualify for one hundred per cent council tax and business rates relief for at least three months.

Small-to-medium sized businesses are also eligible for up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant to help them return quickly to business as usual. 

The council is now working with impacted businesses eligible for this grant.

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More information from Rotherham City Council’s flood grant can be found here.