Flooding - Help
What Can I do About Flooding?
You can find lots of information and advice on what to do about
flooding from the
Environment Agency on the Floodline web page. It will
also show if your property is at risk of flooding. Also of
use are their guides on how best to prepare for flooding. The
guides contain everything you need to know about flood
proofing your property, including simple measures for minimising
floodwater entry and advice on incorporating flood-proofing
measures into home improvement projects.
If you know you are in a flood risk area or have a history of
flooding then you should consider using flood protection devices
such as flood boards for doors and airbricks.
If you think you are in a flood risk area you can call
Floodline on 0845 988 1188 and arrange to receive a telephone
message if a flood is due to occur. Floodline is available 24 hours
a day, and can also provide immediate practical advice on flood
risk and what to do before, during and after a flood.
Free copies of the guides, information and advice are available
from Floodline on 0845 988 118 or from the
Environment Agency website.
Sandbags
Local Authorities are not required to provide materials for
flood protection, but South Lakeland District Council will supply
sandbags as an emergency or as a preventative measure. In the
short term sandbags are adequate for deflecting running water or
deflecting the effects waves produced by passing vehicles and in
filtering any contaminants in the water. Where there is standing
water and the water level is higher than doors or airbricks
sandbags will be of no use. Sandbags will be of no help if your
property is already flooded.
Sandbags can be made more effective by covering them with a
plastic sheet and then weighing it down with further sandbags to
make a seal. Once sandbags have been delivered they become the
property owners responsibility and this includes the responsibility
for their use, maintenance and disposal.
If you are in a flood risk area, or have a history of flooding,
then you should be considering more comprehensive flood
protection.
Who is Responsible if there is a Flood?
The Environment Agency deal with flooding from main rivers and
some tidal flooding. They also provide information and advice on
what to do about flooding. Check online (using the link following)
to see if you are at risk of flooding and for advice on how to
prepare for flooding.
Highways Agency
The Highways Agency are responsible for keeping the main
highways free from flooding and making provision for the runoff of
surface water. Highways Hotline 0845 602 1487
United Utilities
Are responsible for flooding from foul and some surface water
sewers provided that these sewers have been adopted by United
Utilities and are not privately owned. Please report any problems
with the sewer network to United Utilities Faultline. United
Utilities Faultline 0845 602 0406
Floodline on
0845 988 1188
For the latest information on flooding in your area or visit
the
Environment
Agency website