Flooding - general information and advice
The Cumbria County Council website provides a wealth of information about how to be prepared before, during and after a flood.
Current warnings from the Environment Agency
Reporting blocked road drains and surface water flooding
If a drain is blocked, you can report it to Cumbria County Council .
Cumbria Police have an online map which will show where there are any roads with flooding issues.
Preparing for a flood and keeping up to date with the latest situation
There are some simple things you can do to be better prepared for a flood:
- Sign up to the Environment Agency's flood warnings and keep an eye on the Met Office weather forecasts. Follow them on their Twitter accounts on @EnvAgencyNW , @MetOffice .
- Find out the risk of flooding at your property
- Keep up to date with the latest from Cumbria Police , and follow them on Twitter @Cumbriapolice . Also keep up with Cumbria County Council , and follow them on @CumbriaCC as well as ourselves @Allerdale
- Keep an eye on river levels using these webcams
- Make your home or business more resilient to flooding. See the Environment Agency for more advice .
- Devise a flood plan for your property and your community
- Contact your local flood action group. There are groups in Keswick, Cockermouth and Workington
- In emergency situations, tune in to BBC Radio Cumbria
- Read through the Protecting Precious Memories document which looks at how to protect those items which are really precious to you
There is also a wealth of information on the Flood Hub:
Flood sacks (similar to sand bags)
Flood sacks are items which swell when placed in water and can act as a barrier, much like a sand bag, to divert water. When dry they are light and reasonably flat so they can be stored for when they are required. If you are worried about flooding you can also get sandbags and flood sacks from builders merchants. Please remember that sandbags and flood sacks are only an aid to slowing down water ingress. They cannot be relied upon to protect your property from flooding.
We have distributed FREE flood sacks (or "floodsax") at various locations to help you keep flood water from your property. Many are distributed when needed by the local parish council or community group. See the details below or ring us on 0303 123 1702:
Aspatria (and local area)
- Aspatria Dairy, Station Road, Aspatria, Cumbria (24 hours)
- Blennerhasset Community Hall (contact Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1702 for distribution details)
- Bagrow, The Grey Goat. (contact Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1702 for distribution details)
- Aspatria Dairy, Station Road, Aspatria, Cumbria (24 hours)
Cockermouth (and local area)
- Cockermouth Library, Main Street, Cockermouth (They can be picked up from the library when it is open. Please contact Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1702 for more details)
- Brigham Memorial Hall, Brigham (distributed by the Parish Council in an emergency)
- Melbreak community - Loweswater, Lorton, Buttermere and Blind Bothel (contact Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1702 for distribution details)
Keswick (and local area)
- Allerdale Borough Council Keswick office, Keswick Town Hall, Main Street, Keswick distribution organised by Keswick Flood Action Group during emergencies)
- St Herbert's Church Hall, Braithwaite (contact Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1702 for distribution details)
- Hesket Newmarket (distributed by the parish council in an emergency)
Maryport (and local area)
- Allerdale Borough Council Maryport office, Senhouse Street, Maryport (contact 0303 123 1702 to check availability)
- Allonby - (distributed by the Parish Council in an emergency)
- Dearham Village Hall, Dearham (distributed by the Parish Council in an emergency)
- Dearham Commercial pub. (distributed by the Parish Council in an emergency)
- Flimby Cemetery, Flimby (contact Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1702 for distribution details)
- Flimby, Rugby Field (contact Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1702 for distribution details)
- Maryport Fire Station, Maryport (contact Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1702 for distribution details)
Silloth
- Solway Coast Discovery Centre, Liddell Street, Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria, CA7 4DD (sandbags only) (open weekdays and Saturday mornings.)
Wigton
- Wigton Local Links, Community Office, Market Hall, Church Street, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 9AA. Organised and distributed by the Wigton flood action group. (contact Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1702 for distribution details)
Workington
- Allerdale Borough Council main office, Allerdale House, Workington, CA14 3YJ. Please ring Allerdale Borough Council on 0303 123 1702 to arrange pick up)
- Barepot Soapary Works store (contact Workington Town Council in an emergency)
Cleaning up after a flood
The Environment Agency provides a wealth of information on what to do after you have been flooded. You can also find information on how to stay safe and healthy during a clean-up.
Who does what with regard to flooding?
When Cumbria floods a number of organisations work together to help. We all have different roles and responsibilities
Allerdale Borough Council - our primary role is to set up and man reception centres for people who have had to be evacuated from their homes. We will then help find alternative temporary accommodation. Once the immediate emergency is over, we can assist with environmental health, housing, building control, and planning enquiries and issues.
Cumbria County Council - are the strategic flood authority in the county and co-ordinate and lead on flood recovery. They are also responsible for surface water and road flooding.
Environment Agency - the EA is responsible for incidents involving sea and river flooding. They provide a wealth of information on river and sea levels through their website.
The Cumbria Strategic Flood Partnership oversees all the work going on in Cumbria to tackle flooding.
More advice on flooding
There is a wealth of information relating to flooding:
