Much inland flooding results from watercourses bursting their banks following periods of excessive rain. Weather conditions and water levels are monitored by the Environment Agency, and if there is cause for concern they will issue advice to property owners to prepare for the possibility of risks due to flooding. The nature of the alerts rise from Flood Watch, to Flood Warning, and Severe Flood Warning.

Using the My Property address search, you can view flood zone information for your area via a link to the Environment Agency flood map. You can also see if your property is in a flood zone by looking under the Environment section of the My property address search results.

To help you be prepared for these occurrences, and minimise waste of our resources, your help and co-operation would be appreciated. Sandbags supplied by the Council will be of use for future flood warnings, and should be kept, preferably in a dry and darkened area as the sandbags that we use are bio-degradable, and they will deteriorate after twelve months if wet and in sunlight.

Please remember that sandbags are an aid to slowing down water ingress, but cannot be relied upon to protect your property from flooding. Depending on your property's specific location, it may be worth considering proprietary flood gates* at door openings, and protection of air bricks (which must not be blocked up except in times of flooding), to reduce the risk of flood damage within your property. Be Aware, Be Prepared. Protection of your property is your responsibility but we will help if we can.