Flooding and Severe Weather Warnings

What to do in a flood

• Visit GOV.UK to find out what you need to do if your area receives a flood alert: What to do in a flood

Are you prepared if there is a flood or severe weather?

There’s a lot you can do to prepare for bad weather or a flood. Sign up to the Environment Agency’s Flood warning system, consider installing flood prevention barriers or keeping a supply of instant aqua bags that act like sandbags.

Detailed below are useful links to other organisations that will help you with your preparation.

Flood Warnings

Flood warnings are issued by the Environment Agency.

There are three types of warnings

• Flood Alert – Flooding possible. Be prepared!
• Flood Warning – Flooding expected. Immediate action required!
• Severe Flood Warning – Severe flooding expected. Danger to life

Warnings no longer in force – No further flooding is currently expected

Sign up to get flood warnings for your area direct to your telephone, mobile, email, SMS text message or fax by registering at the Environment Agency website  or by calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188

For the status of Flood Warning Areas and rivers in the District go to:

• Environment Agency – Flood Warnings 

Sandbags In Emergencies

Householders are encouraged to protect themselves against flood risk and there are a number of products available which help protect property. Sandbags are readily available at builders merchants and there are lots of modern alternatives that are easier to store and expand. For more information about different products please go to:

• Kite-marked flood protection products (external link)
• National Flood Forum Blue Pages Directory (external link)

Wealden District Council like most other authorities does not supply sandbags unless a Civil Emergency has been declared (Civil Contingencies Act 2004).

Flood Information and Advice

Here is a list of useful websites/pages on the subject of flooding:

• Wealden flooding and drainage advice for property owners
• Environment Agency advice on flooding
• Live flood warnings for England
• Obtaining flood insurance in flood risk areas

Severe weather warnings

Severe Weather Warnings are issued by the Met Office when severe weather is expected to cause disruption to traffic etc. over a specified period of time. They are broadcast on both TV and radio, they are also published on the Met Office website.

Salting and gritting

The Wealden Salting and Gritting Policy policy sets out the priorities for salting, gritting and snow clearing when conditions of ice and snow demand.