What to do during a flood
During a flooding incident there are a number of things you can do as a homeowner and support you can ask for from certain organisations.
Who can help you
Different organisations have different responsibilities for helping people affected during flooding. Firstly you should always report a flood via the information on this page but you may also need to contact another service for support. Below is a list of which agency you should contact for different types of assistance.
Organisation |
What they are responsible for and support provided |
Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucestershire County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority | Any flooding affecting property, roads or paths including flood prevention on highways from surface or groundwater. See more information on the County Council’s role. |
08000 514 514 |
| Severn Trent Water or Dwr Cymru Welsh Water |
The local sewer system and any flooding that may affect them. Let them know if you have any issues with sewer water |
Severn Trent - 0800 783 4444 |
| Environment Agency | Any flooding issues affecting main rivers. They are responsible for managing the flooding and flood prevention in those water courses |
0345 988 1188 |
| Gloucestershire Police and Gloucestershire Fire Service | Supporting with closing roads and helping in the immediate response to a flood but have no statutory responsibilities for flooding |
999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency situation |
| Local parish council | Your local parish council may provide flood support. Check with them for more information. | |
| Forest of Dean District Council | If you need rehoming, contact friends and family, or your insurance company or landlord. If this isn’t possible we may be able help to rehome anyone who has to leave their home due to flooding. |
01594 810 000 |
| Local landowners | It is the responsibility of land owners to maintain water courses on private land |
|
Sandbags
We do not provide a sandbag service to residential or commercial properties.
You can buy sandbags from most local builders merchants in advance if you think your property may be at risk from flooding.
- The Environment Agency has published a guide on how best to use them
- The Gloucestershire Local Resilience Forum have produced a video guide on how to effectively protect your property against flood water using sandbags
Property owners and occupiers are responsible for disposing of sandbags once the risk of flooding has subsided.
Flood protection products
There are many different types of equipment you can purchase which will offer different levels of protection to your home in the event of a flood. The National Flood Forum has produced an independent directory of flood protection products and services called the Blue Pages.
Forest of Dean District Council has been able to secure a limited number of flood defence items (Floodsax and HydroSnakes) that have been distributed to at-risk town and parish councils that requested them. These act as more effective alternatives to sandbags.
We do recommend you prepare your own defences so you can react quicker and more effectively.
If your home is flooding
If you are in immediate danger call 999
You can listen to local radio for updates or call the Flood line on 0345 988 1188.
If water is entering your home:
- make sure you have access to clean water
- move essential items upstairs or out of reach of the water
- turn off gas, electricity and water supplies when flood water is about to enter your home if safe to do so. Do not touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water
Travel during flooding
Do not walk through flooded areas, there may be hidden dangers such as open drains, damaged road surfaces, submerged debris or deep channels.
Do not try to drive through flooded roads or fords, the water is often deeper than it looks and your vehicle may be swept away or you may become stranded.
For the latest travel and transport information visit:
- Gloucestershire County Council for flooding and road closures
- Local bus service updates
- Changes to train services on National Rail
