Flooding advice for homeowners

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Improved flood warning service for Trowbridge

Residents at risk from flooding from the River Biss, Paxcroft Brook and Lambrook Stream in Trowbridge will benefit from improvements to the Environment Agency’s free flood warning service.

Residents at risk of flooding will be able to register to receive advance warning of flooding direct to their phone, or by text, email or pager.

Using the latest flood mapping and historic flood information the agency has created three new flood warning areas. These will replace the existing single flood warning area in Trowbridge. These new areas represent the different areas that will flood from the same flooding scenarios.

Paul Hardy for the Environment Agency said "We know that certain parts of the River Biss, Paxcroft Brook and Lambrok Stream will flood earlier while other areas will flood later and only when the levels continue to rise. Our new flood warning areas recognise this and will allow us to only warn those that are at risk."

We are holding a display of information about flood risk and flood warnings in Trowbridge Lending Library (Cradle Bridge, Mortimer Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8BA) from 10.30am on 14 November until 1pm on 16 November 2011. Environment Agency staff will be available from 10.30am to 2pm on 14 November to answer your questions.

The improved service is being launched on 2 November 2011.

To find out if your property is at risk of flooding, or to register to receive flood warnings please visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Flooding Advice

It is your responsibility for protecting your home from flooding. Where they can the Council, emergency services and Environment Agency will help, however if the flooding is over a large area, they may not be able to respond to every call.

Valuables

Important documents and items should be stored safely in waterproof containers at the highest point of the property such as upstairs. These may include items like; passports, financial documents, insurance details, photos. Make a list of important and useful telephone numbers such as your insurance company, water, electric, gas, local authority, landlord.

Appliances

Make sure you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies, even in the dark.

All electrical appliances should be unplugged, smaller items moved upstairs or to the highest part of the property and larger items raised on blocks.

Furniture

Plug sinks, baths and showers weighing the plug down to prevent backflow.

Move as much furniture as you can upstairs those you can’t, should be raised off the floor.

Insurance

The average cost of flood damage is £30,000 so you will need to check with your insurance company that the level of your insurance policy covers flooding and add the necessary cover if needed.

• Is my property insured against flood damage?
• Does my cover provide me with temporary accommodation?
• Will any necessary clean up or repairs to my property be taken care of?
• How much compensation will I receive to cover any damages to my property and contents?

Make an emergency flood kit of items such as, blankets warm/waterproof clothing, bottled water, food, torches and radio with spare batteries, a first aid kit. Prepare food you can store and eat without cooking, store drinking water and keep warm clothing safe. If you have one, keep a mobile phone fully charged.

Related documents

• Householders' guide for emergencies
  Householders' guide for emergencies 331kb

Last updated: 2 May 2012