Island homes and businesses directly affected by the recent floods can now apply for Government-funded support, including a Community Recovery Grant of £500 per household to help with immediate costs. Flooded households in affected areas can apply for up to £500 to give cash quickly to help with immediate costs. The grant is available to primary homes that have suffered internal flood damage, or for people who were not able to live in their property, as a direct result of Storm Babet between 19th and 25th October 2023. Flooded households may also be eligible for a 100% council tax discount for a minimum of 3 months — this means affected residents will not have to pay council tax during this period. After 3 months, if residents have not been able to return home, they may not have to pay council tax until they move back to their home. The Government schemes do not apply to empty homes, second homes or student accommodation. 
For small and medium-sized businesses in affected areas, a grant of up to £2,500 is available from the Business Recovery Grant to help them return quickly to business as usual. Businesses eligible to apply include those which experienced flooding to their business premises and or those which experienced restricted access to their premises as a result of the flood, and which experienced a loss of trade as a result. Storage facilities are not eligible. Businesses that have not been able to operate due to flooding at their premises may be eligible for 100% Business Rates Relief for a minimum of 3 months. The Isle of Wight Council is administering the packages of support. Both households and business owners can apply for flood relief by completing an application form at https://www.iow.gov.uk/keep-the-island-safe/severe-weather/november-2023-flood-support/. Those applying are urged to provide as much information as possible, including uploading any supporting evidence such as photographs. The Council may need to visit your property. Anyone who needs further information or assistance can email [email protected] or call 01983 823111. 
Councillor Phil Jordan, council leader, has said:
“We are committed to helping residents to recover from the recent extreme weather. “The recent floods caused by some of the heaviest rainfall the Island has ever seen caused devastation for many of our residents, flooding their homes and making it impossible for them to return home for some time. “Just one of the ways that we are now helping people to restore their homes is by administering this support package which will help with immediate costs. “We have been working hard to support the affected communities over the past two weeks and will continue to lead on the community recovery effort.”
Councillor Karen Lucioni, Cabinet member for community protection, adds:
“Working closely with local councillors and voluntary agencies, we now have a full list of those affected in Ryde and other areas of the Island, including those in most need of support. “One particular request I would make is to ensure that all those households that have been flooded inform the Environment Agency and Southern Water as this will enable access to support from those agencies. “I would also encourage those businesses and residents affected by the floods to apply for the grants made available from the government.”
“Immediate help” – that was needed nearly four weeks ago.
Better late than never I suppose.
Not nearly enough.
I’m sure the people who’ve lost so much recently are grateful for any help. But I urge Councillors who are freely offering so much advice, to go back to Chambers and reconsider EVERY decision they have made to build over green-field land on this island. It’s not too late to stop this madness! Once they have done this, they can then sit and discuss how to solve the problems we already have. But PLEASE, Councillors, don’t pretend you’re making plans to fix these issues whilst agreeing plans to concrete over the only source of natural inland drainage that exists. I live in Ryde and I only just escaped the turmoil my near-neighbours are experiencing now. If the Planning Office continues, I am certain my family will be the next victims.
What im confused about is the people interviewed who owed a house and stated they’d lost literally EVERYTHING .but the water only flooded downstairs! Upstairs in homes is untouched,
These numb nuts offer all or nothing responses, have widely polarised views and therefore advise that they are either ‘ all right jack’ or this is the worst thing that has happened to them, their life is ruined and they have lost everything – nothing grey in between.