Flood Guidance Information
Flooding Preparation
- Sign up for the Flood Warning Service
- Check that your insurance covers flood damage
- Make a flood kit
- Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water
How do I know what the river levels are near my property?
You can Find river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels - GOV.UK using the Gov website. Search for a location and you can see data on water levels and rainfall data at measuring stations.
How can I prepare my home if I am at risk of flooding?
If your home is at risk of flooding, it’s a good idea to make a personal flood plan, even if you’ve never flooded before. This will make sure that if you receive a flood warning, you know what actions you need to take to help keep you, your family and your belongings safe. By considering these actions in advance, not only will you be better prepared to respond in an emergency, but you will be better equipped to recover from it in the long-term.
Your plan can include actions and considerations such as:
Click the link below for examples of personal flood plan templates.
Worried about the impacts of drought?
Read the EA's blog on the impacts of drought here - Drought impacts continue despite changeable weather – Creating a better place.
Flooding Advice
Coping with Flooding
We understand that flooding can be a difficult time to people and it can severely disrupt your and your family's life. The National Flood Forum is a charity to help, support and represent people at risk of flooding. Visit the link below visit the National Flood Forum website.
Housing Insurance Information
Flood Re is a joint initiative between the Government and insurers. Its aim is to make the flood cover section of household insurance policies more affordable. See the link below for more information.
Guides to Property Flood Resilience and Recovery
Flood Mary provides online guides to householders who seek additional information on property flood resilience and flood recovery advice. It raises awareness of advance preparation to reduce the impact of flooding on individuals, families and businesses. See the link below for additional information.
Owning a Watercourse
- obstruct or affect a public right of navigation – ask your navigation authority for advice
- reduce the flow or cause flooding to other landowners’ property – you may have to pay damages if they do
- obstruct or affect a public right of navigation – ask your navigation authority for advice
- reduce the flow or cause flooding to other landowners’ property – you may have to pay damages if they do
How do I know if I own part of a watercourse?
Riparian ownership
A riparian owner is somebody who has either a main river or an ordinary watercourse, such as a stream or culvert, running through, beneath or adjacent to the boundary of their land. If the watercourse forms the boundary of the land, you will usually own it up to its centre. If you are unsure about your ownership, you can check your title deeds on the land registry.
You may have to remove blockages, fallen trees or overhanging branches from your watercourse, or cut back trees and shrubs on the bank, if they:
What are my Riparian responsibilities if I own part of a watercourse?
Riparian ownership
A riparian owner is somebody who has either a main river or an ordinary watercourse, such as a stream or culvert, running through, beneath or adjacent to the boundary of their land. If the watercourse forms the boundary of the land, you will usually own it up to its centre. If you are unsure about your ownership, you can check your title deeds on the land registry.
You may have to remove blockages, fallen trees or overhanging branches from your watercourse, or cut back trees and shrubs on the bank, if they:
The requirements of this can be found at the following location Owning a watercourse - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). A more detailed attachment called Your Watercourse: Rights & Roles can be found here Your watercourse: rights and roles | Engage Environment Agency (engagementhq.com)