Get ready for winter floods, Leicestershire council warns

People in Leicestershire have been warned of the likelihood of flooding this winter and the need to be prepared for it.

Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for flooding at Leicestershire County Council, said it was “not a case of if but when flooding will happen in some areas of the county”.

At-risk areas including Bottesford, East Goscote and Newtown Linford have received flood defence items as part of a £400,000 community grant scheme which opened for applications in January 2026.

Sandbag alternatives and temporary flood barriers have been purchased with the money and given out to parish councils for them to distribute, the county council said.

The sandbag alternatives can be “stored easier” and “inflate and stack like sandbags”, a spokesperson for the authority added.

A portion of the cash has also been spent on “bolstering the county’s annual drain-cleaning programme by cleaning lower-priority drains more frequently and maintaining culverts across the county”.

A number of drop-in events offering advice have also been held with more due to be scheduled.

Tilbury said: “We have spent the year working hard to give communities the equipment that can help to reduce flood risk.

“It’s not a case of if but when flooding will happen in some areas of the county.

“Being prepared and thinking about it earlier can really help you recover and get back to normal more quickly.

“There’s always more to do and we’re committed to helping, but we encourage everyone to check the flood risk in their area and take whatever steps are needed to be prepared.”