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Flooding advice

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Flooding emergency

In the event of a flood, if there is a threat to life call 999

To report the emergency to the Police, please call 101

Introduction

A pluvial, or surface water flood, is caused when heavy rainfall creates a flood event independent of an overflowing water body or flowing water from rain falling on hillsides that are unable to absorb the water. The system becomes overwhelmed and water flows out into streets and nearby structures.

At times similar to this event, members of the public can call Anglian Water on 03457 145 145 (24 hours a day).

Flooding emergency

The Drainage Team are not an emergency service, therefore to report an emergency related to flooding please call the police on 101. If there is a danger to life, then please call 999.

Report blocked drainage gullies

You can report isolated drainage gullies online or by calling 01733 747474 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).

If you feel a highway related flood is a high risk case and it is out of office hours, then please contact our out of hours services.

Flood warning services

Current flood warnings

Anyone worried about flooding in their area should call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or find out more about flood alerts or warnings currently in force on the Environment Agency's flood warning webpages.

Visit the Environment Agency website for the most up-to-date information.

Flood risk from main rivers

You can find out if your property is at risk from flooding from main rivers by visiting the Environment Agency's map of the Risk of Flooding from Rivers and the Sea and entering your postcode.

Flood risk from surface water

Peterborough is at risk from surface water flooding which can occur in almost any location since it can be caused by heavy rain, minor watercourses, overflowing sewers or groundwater. Water will run towards lower areas where it may pond. Flooding is often localised and of a much smaller scale than flooding from main rivers could be.

To find out about the risk of surface water flooding in your area visit the Environment Agency's map of the Risk of Flooding From Surface Water.

Flood risk from reservoirs

The risk of reservoir flooding is very low due to the management and resilience measures that have to be put in place for reservoirs. There are three large water bodies in Peterborough that contribute to the area's risk of reservoir flooding. These are the Nene Washes, Rutland Water and Crowlands Cowbit Washes.

The Environment Agency include this information within their map called Risk of Flooding from Reservoirs.

Flood risk from groundwater

While groundwater levels can be high anywhere, flooding caused by groundwater is more likely in areas built upon sands and gravels as in these locations the water can travel easily through the ground. There is no publicly available map of groundwater flooding at the moment.

Sandbags

Peterborough City Council's policy is that we do not provide sandbags and only under extreme circumstances we would look to safeguard critical infrastructures only.

Further advice is available on the National Flood Forum website.

Driving through flood waters

Drivers are reminded that driving through flood water can be extremely dangerous, as it is impossible to see how deep the water is and whether there are any submerged hazards which could damage your car or leave you stranded.

Drivers who ignore road closure signs will be prosecuted by the police if caught.

Recovering from a flood

The Association of British Insurers have produced a number of useful guides to help negotiate through the recovery stage for those who have suffered from flooding. This sets out who is involved at each step of the recovery, what this means and when it will happen.

Independent advice and support is also available from the National Flood Forum.

Investigating flood incidents

We are required to investigate flood incident's that meet the following thresholds:

  • internal flooding to any one dwelling
  • internal flooding to more than one business premises
  • flooding to any critical infrastructure or critical services
  • flooding that causes significant disruption to a transport link for a defined period.

To request an investigation, the incident must be reported to us at the time of occurrence by emailing drainage@peterborough.gov.uk.

For further information on household drains and sewers please see our drainage page.

For queries related to the following flood risk or water issues but not emergencies, please use the contact details given below:

Published: 01 October 2024