Flooding has long been a concern for many in our part of Norfolk – which is why it has been a major campaign of mine throughout my time as the local MP.

Over the years, I have supported a number of households, businesses and communities affected by local flooding and, in response to the awful flooding during the winter of 2020/21, I established the Mid Norfolk Flood Partnership – to give local councillors, community groups and affected individuals a stronger voice and hold the authorities responsible for flooding response and water management more firmly to account. I have been proud of the progress made to date, but continue to support my Mid Norfolk communities as we work to ensure these problems are treated with the seriousness they deserve.

(Full details of all my work can be found on my website campaign page here – including the list of 14 recommendations developed by the MNFP, which were almost entirely adopted by Norfolk County Council’s then newly formed Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance and have since formed the basis of much of the positive work being done across the county to improve future flood responses and strengthen long term flooding resilience)

Storm Babet has shown again why we must not be complacent – and brings into even sharper focus the importance of local services like the Norfolk Urban Search and Rescue team that I helped secure a funding extension for earlier this year. (See more here and here)

In the past few days, I have been in contact with several affected individuals, as well as their local councillors, and continue to offer what advice and support I can.

I intend to reconvene the Mid Norfolk Flood Partnership for another summit with Norfolk County Council, Anglian Water and the Environment Agency – and will continue to ensure Mid Norfolk’s voice is being heard at the highest levels.

While I am pleased that various Mid Norfolk flooding “blackspots” (Necton, Watton, Saham Toney, Mattishall, Yaxham, Cranworth, Dereham and Shipdham) have been included in the NSFA’s early tranches for improved support following individual and MNFP representations, there is still much more work to be done. I am determined to do all I can to help ensure all our local flooding “blackspots” are getting the attention they require – with more done to improve our overall flood resilience too.

If YOU have been affected by the awful rainfall over recent days, please visit the Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance’s website here and/or call the Norfolk Flood Helpline (that the MNFP recommended be established) on 0344 800 8013 – where you will be able to access urgent support.

To see more about my work, please see the video below.