Reduce the risk of flooding

Step 1: Check

Find out if your property is at risk of flooding: Check for flooding

Step 2: Alerts

In many flood risk areas, you can Sign up for flood warnings . These warn of the risk of flooding from rivers, the sea and groundwater. You'll be alerted by phone, email or text when flooding is expected. Flood warnings and alerts are not available in all areas.

Step 3: Plan

Create your own emergency plan.

You can use our 10-minute Household emergency plan template which has a list of essential items, contact numbers and emergency checklists.

You can also download our flooding documents to help you prepare for flooding and respond to and recover from flooding.

Step 4: Protect

Protect your home or business.

If you are at risk from flooding there is flood protection equipment you can fit. This can include:

• The use of sandbags

• Hydrosacks or hydrosnakes - a modern alternative to sandbags
• Toilet seals - to stop sewage
• Airbrick covers - to prevent water entering the building
• Door and gate barriers - to hold back flood water from the house
• Submersible water pumps - to help remove water

Bluepages is the UK's leading independent flood directory. It's a list of flood products and services put together to advise and inform you of the range of products available to help reduce the risk of flooding to your home or business.

Sand bags supply

The Council maintains a limited stock of sandbags to primarily prevent flooding from highway.

Individual homeowner requests for the supply of sandbags will only be considered to protect occupied residential properties that are in imminent danger of flooding (they will not be supplied in advance). The request will be prioritised based on vulnerability and it is unlikely all requests will be met. This is to ensure sandbags are being deployed to where they are likely to be needed. As part of the Council's emergency tactical response to a severe weather of rain, it may consider advance deployment of sandbags to the known highest risk communities.

These actions form part of the Council's emergency response to a severe weather impact from rain. The Council will work on best endeavours and do not guarantee delivery. Therefore, homeowners are encouraged to plan and prepare in advance to protect their own properties.

Find out where you'll get help

Areas prone to flooding may already have flood groups and community hubs where you can find food, clothing, shelter and advice during a flood. Some areas have community flood wardens - volunteers who monitor a specific local area and inform its residents when flooding is likely.

Visit the National Flood Forum

Report flooding