Flooding
If your home is affected by flooding the council can give assistance. During an emergency we can provide sandbags and if necessary clear a blocked river or stream.
Surface water flooding can happen for a number of reasons, such as heavy rainfall, blocked drains or overflowing rivers or streams. If you are concerned that you are at risk from flooding contact the council for advice. We will try to respond within two hours during working hours or four hours, outside working hours. However if there is a major flooding emergency and we are dealing with a high volume of calls, it may take longer.
The council has limited resources and we will give priority to situations where the dwelling or premises are at serious risk. Sandbags may be distributed to prevent water entering habitable premises, or to divert water away from habitable premises. They will not be provided for the protection of garden boundaries, garages, outhouses, etc.
We will also give priority to old or infirm people. Occupied property takes priority over unoccupied property. Protection of commercial property may depend on the risk of environmental pollution from stored chemicals.
Telephone: 01730 234295
We also work with the Environment Agency and Hampshire County Council on flooding issues. You need to contact the county council if a road is flooded.
Environment Agency Floodline: 0845 988 1188
Hampshire County Council Emergency Hotline: 0800 807 060
Properties in flood risk areas
Some properties have been built in a flood risk area, where persistent flooding occurs and in these cases, owners/occupiers must make their own arrangements to protect their property from flooding.
Theres is advice about how to effectively protect your home from flooding on the Environment Agency website, see the link below.
You can also ask the Environment Agency to send you advance warnings of flood risks. This priority list of property owners and agencies (the council is on this list) are alerted by the Environment Agency as soon as their early warning systems detect a flooding risk. To apply for inclusion on the alert list either ring the Floodline telephone number, on 0845 988 1188 or go to the Environment Agancy website.
Please make every effort to protect your property from the flood water.
Place sandbags, or any solid barrier (plastic bags full of soil are a good alternative) at any entry points to your home, particularly where the level of the land is at the lowest point.
If the flood water is entering your home from under the floors (ground water flooding), move as much of your belongings, clothing and food into upstairs rooms. Contact the council immediately, as you may have to be evacuated from your property.
The Environment Agency website has lots of good advice about protecting your home from flooding see their website via the link below.
You can also find out more on Hampshire County Council's website