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Contact information
- Emergency number during office hours: 01628 683804.
- Out of hours emergency number: 01753 853517.
- Email enquiries: flooding.enquiries@rbwm.gov.uk
Before, during and after flooding incidents
If you have a concern about flooding or highway drainage and blocked gulleys in the borough, please report it through the Report a flooding or drainage problem webpage.
If you need to report an emergency situation, please call our contact centre via the numbers above.
The Environment Agency is responsible for managing main rivers such as The Thames, The Colne, The Cut and The Bourne, and provides flood warnings and response to any incident from the main rivers in the Borough. The council is committed to working with the Agency, the emergency services and with local people to offer assistance when flooding takes place.
Before, during and after flooding incidents, the council will help wherever possible by:
- Closing roads if flooded.
- Providing sandbags only where vulnerable residents need assistance to protect their homes (excluding outhouses) where there is an imminent risk of flooding. Sandbags will not be provided as a precautionary measure. Vulnerable residents are regarded as those who as a result of age, disability or illness are unable to take protective action to safeguard themselves or their property.
- Looking after the elderly and vulnerable.
- Providing evacuation centres' if large numbers of people are made homeless.
Other useful information
During severe weather vital information on school closures, revised bin collections, road conditions and other snow/ice related details can be found on our website and by listening to local radio stations. Information will be posted on the website and Twitter as soon as we receive updates.
For information on road closures please visit One.Network
If you have a concern about sewers please report it to Thames Water. Thames Water are responsible for public sewer systems, including managing the risk of sewer flooding, whether from clean water or foul water systems.
Clearance and maintenance of ditches and watercourses is usually the responsibility of the riparian landowner who needs to ensure they are fit for purpose and clear of debris. The Environment Agency provides guidance for landowners on their riparian responsibilities.
Further information about roles and responsibilities for flooding can be found in the council's Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.
Flood codes and their meaning
Flood alert – A flood alert will indicate that flooding is possible and that you need to be prepared. Normally this means that rivers are likely to break their banks and spill out into the surrounding areas, flood plains and low lying roads and footpaths.
Flood warning – indicates that flooding is expected inside properties and that immediate action should be taken. You should take action when a flood warning is issued and not wait for a severe flood warning.
Severe flood warning – indicated that there is severe flooding and danger to life. These will be issued only when flooding is posing significant threat to life or disruption to communities.
Additional links and contacts
- Environment Agency floodline number: 0345 9881188.
- Flooding: planning, managing and recovering from a flood - GOV.UK website