Agricultural Land flooded in November 2019
Support to farmers affected by flooding in November 2019 in South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
Applies to England
How to apply
Read the November 2019 handbook
Latest news
Internal Drainage Board areas
We have added two internal drainage board areas where these fall within one of the eligible counties:
- Isle of Axholme
- Witham First
Please read the November 2019 handbook for full details on how to see if you are eligible.
Starting work
Make sure you read the handbook to understand your eligibility and obligations before you start any work. You can start work any time after your land was affected and before you receive an Agreement, but RPA is not liable for any work that you start:
- that is later found to be ineligible, or
- that you do not follow permitting or consenting regulations for.
November 2019 eligible areas
The Environment Agency confirms that two exceptional flood incidents occurred as a result of significant rainfall in South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire on 7 and 8 November 2019 and in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire on 13 to 15 November 2019 (following prolonged rain in October with rainfall amounts between 150-170% above monthly average across South Yorkshire and Midlands) and based on this evidence the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recognises that the affected areas have suffered a natural disaster within the meaning of EU Regulation (EU) 702/2014.
On 7 and 8 November 2019, a slow moving front, which remained static for 24 hours, deposited up to 100mm across the catchments of the Dove, Derbyshire Derwent, Don and Rother, Lower Trent and Erewash, Witham, Torne and Ancholme, which experienced overtopping of their rivers, flood banks and several breaches in flood defence embankments.
Between 13 and 15 November 2019, river levels on the Avon at Evesham were the 5th highest since 1938 and the highest since 2012. Downstream through Gloucestershire, river levels on the Avon (measured at Bredon) were the 4th highest since 1988 and the highest since 2012.
South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire experienced heavy rainfall on 7-8 November, this combined with a series of rainfall events from late September into November across Lincolnshire resulted in the over-topping of river embankments and extensive flooding of low lying land, much of which is within special drainage areas managed by Internal Drainage Boards. The excess water in the already full and overtopping main rivers such as the Don, Trent, Ancholme and Witham resulted in the drainage systems being at capacity, resulting in severe and prolonged flooding within these Internal Drainage Districts. Lincolnshire experienced several breaches in flood defence embankments, resulting in extensive flooding of low lying areas.
Derbyshire
Derbyshire was affected by the heavy rainfall on 7 and 8 November as described above. The river catchments of the Derbyshire Derwent and Dove rivers were already saturated from the prolonged rain in October, resulting in river levels along the Derwent being the highest on record. At Chatsworth the river levels were the highest on record since 1969. The Derbyshire Derwent and Dove rivers overtopped flood banks and seriously flooded agricultural land.
Worcestershire and Gloucestershire
Worcestershire and Gloucestershire were affected by the exceptional rainfall of 13 to 15 November when river levels on the Avon at Evesham were the 5th highest since 1938 and highest since 2012. Downstream through Gloucestershire river levels on the Avon (measured at Bredon) were the 4th highest since 1988 and the highest since 2012. The Avon reached capacity overtopped flood banks and seriously flooded agricultural land.
Updates to this page
Last updated 4 August 2020 + show all updates
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Scheme has now closed
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Title updated to reflect flooding period
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Latest news added to give details of 2 new internal drainage board areas and a reminder about starting work
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First published.