FAQs

Check For Flooding

To express your interest in any future Property Flood Resilience Scheme visit Property Flood Resilience grant scheme - expression of interest survey (hertfordshire.gov.uk) To contact the Flood Management Service, please email: FRMschemes@hertfordshire.gov.uk

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Contact Info

Log Fault

0300 123 4040

Stay informed through the Environment Agency’s Warning Service, our local social media groups , local news, and weather updates via the Met Office. If a flood warning is issued, get ready to evacuate, especially as we are in a flood-prone area. Move to higher ground if necessary, and secure your home by turning off utilities and placing valuable items on higher levels.
Turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies, if it’s safe to do so - do not touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water.
Keep your emergency kit ready, including important documents, food, water, and medications.

Useful links:

Contact the council to:

• clear public drains
• report a flooded road or walkway or your house!
• Groundwater flooding (Groundwater flooding is caused by water rising up through the ground.)

Hertfordshire County Council
North Hertfordshire District Council

For blocked sewers, contact Anglian Water 03457 145 145 or via the Report an issue page

Call the Environment Agency to report:

• collapsed or badly damaged river banks
• flooding from rivers
• main rivers blocked by a vehicle or fallen tree causing risk of flooding
• unusual changes in river flow

Environment Agency incident hotline
0800 80 70 60


Official government advice here>>> What to do before or during a flood

Sign up for free flood warnings from Gov.uk.
Know our area’s flood risk through the UK Government's flood maps.
Prepare a flood plan, including where to go and how to contact family in case of evacuation.
Assemble an emergency kit with essentials like bottled water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, a torch, and important documents.
Protect your property by installing flood defences, such as sandbags or flood doors, and ensure gutters and drains are clear.

Listen to the Fire Brigade or local authorities for evacuation instructions.
Turn the power off if water is getting into your property or under the floor boards.
Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters—just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you over, and two feet can move a car.
Move to higher ground and avoid low-lying areas.
Stay updated on the latest weather and flood warnings from the Met Office and the Environment Agency.

Official government advice here>>> What to do before or during a flood

Avoid driving through flooded roads, even if the water looks shallow. British roads can become submerged very quickly, and it’s easy to misjudge water depth. Just 30 cm of moving water can float your car. Turn around and find a safer route or wait until conditions improve.

Only return to your home when it is safe. Be very wary of switching on electrics, they could be compromised. Try and get an electrician to test for soundness.
Avoid contact with standing water, which may be contaminated by sewage or chemicals. Take photos of any damage for your insurance claim, the more the better, get videos also if you can. Dispose of any food, including tinned goods, that has come into contact with floodwater. Only after getting lots of photo evidence, if you really need to, begin cleaning and disinfecting your home to prevent mould. Contact your insurance company and local council if you need help with cleaning up.

Official government advice here>>> What to do after a flood.

Floodwaters in England can be contaminated with sewage, chemicals, or other harmful substances, leading to illnesses like diarrhoea or infections. The risk of mould, which can trigger respiratory problems, is also high after floods. Always wear protective gear when cleaning up, and avoid direct contact with floodwaters.

Install flood-resistant doors, airbrick covers, or non-return valves on drains.
Consider raising the height of electrical sockets and appliances.
Ensure your home’s drainage systems are effective and clear of blockages.
Keep sandbags or similar barriers ready during the flood season.

Many home insurance policies in the UK do not cover flood damage as standard. You will need to ensure your home insurance includes flood protection. You can also access the UK Government-backed Flood Re scheme, which helps make flood insurance more affordable for those in high-risk areas.

Flash floods in England can be triggered by sudden, heavy rainfall, particularly in urban areas with poor drainage or rural areas near rivers and streams. Signs include rapid water level rises in rivers, ditches overflowing, and very heavy rain over a short period. Stay alert for Met Office severe weather warnings and move to higher ground if necessary.

Your insurance company, water company or local authority can hemlp, but if you need to then..
Wear rubber boots, gloves, and a mask.
Pump out standing water using a pump or bucket.
Dry out your home using fans, dehumidifiers, and open windows.
Clean and disinfect all surfaces, especially where food is stored or prepared.
Contact your local council for guidance on disposing of damaged items or dealing with hazardous waste.

Bottled water (2 litres per person per day).
Non-perishable food items (3 days’ supply).
A torch (with extra batteries).
A first-aid kit.
Important documents, such as insurance policies, stored in a waterproof container.
Cash and a mobile phone charger.

Wait until your water company or local authorities confirm that tap water is safe to drink. Contaminated floodwater can seep into water supplies, so it’s essential to boil water or rely on bottled water until official advice is given.

Check on vulnerable neighbours, particularly the elderly or those with mobility issues.
Volunteer with local community groups or your local council’s flood response team.
Donate to local flood relief efforts or the British Red Cross.
Help distribute sandbags, lift furnture or assist with clean-up efforts in your neighbourhood.
Keep passing on info, one of the hardest thing people experience is not knowing what to do.