Flooding
How can I be prepared?
You can prepare for flooding by following these simple steps:
Sign up for free flood warnings.
If flooding is forecast the warning is issued using these four codes:
- Flood alert – flooding is possible. Be aware! Be prepared.
- Flood warning – flooding is expected affecting homes, businesses and main roads. Immediate action required! Act Now.
- Severe flood warning – severe flooding expected. Imminent danger to life or property. Act now.
- Warnings no longer in force – Issued when flood warnings and flood alerts that have been removed in the last 24 hours.
For real-time flood warnings and advice you can call the environment agency’s flood line on 0345 988 1188. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides flood warnings direct to you by telephone, mobile, email, SMS text message, fax or pager.
Find out How to Plan Ahead for Flooding and find out about ways to reduce the impact of flooding to your home and business.
Who co-ordinates a response to a flooding event?
Derbyshire County Council is the authority that takes charge during flooding emergencies. More information can be found on its website.
The Environment Agency is responsible for issuing flood warnings to the public. It provides a dedicated Flood line information service. Call 0845 988 1188. The line operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
The flood warning information is updated every 15 minutes.
Who should I call during a storm?
Fallen tree on road NOT endangering life: Derbyshire County Council
Fallen tree on road or vehicle endangering life: Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service - Call 999
Fallen tree on property NOT endangering life: personal responsibility
Fallen tree on property endangering life: Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service - Call 999
Unsafe structure overhanging a public highway or public footpath: Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service - Call 999
Unsafe structure overhanging property NOT endangering life: personal responsibility
Unsafe structure overhanging property endangering life: Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service - Call 999
General flooding: Wait for water to subside
Flooding with risk to life: Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service - Call 999
Flooding affecting electrics: Only if safe to do so, isolate electrics. If in any doubt call the fire and rescue service on 999.
Flooding can ruin people’s lives and homes and is one of the most devastating natural acts that can occur. Many people live in flood risk areas and here we provide information on preparing for a flood, where help is available from and also on cleaning up after the event. If you live along a riverbank there is always the possibility that bad weather will threaten your property with flooding.
Roads during floods
The following links show traffic conditions and road closures during incidents.
Traffic cameras (derbyshire.gov.uk)
National flood insurance scheme
Flood Re is a re-insurance Scheme that makes flood cover more widely available and affordable as part of home insurance. Flood Re helps households at the highest risk of flooding. It also provide information about taking action to reduce flood risk. Find out about the national flood insurance scheme at Flood Re - A flood re-insurance scheme.
What will Erewash Borough Council do?
Offer advice and information on:- Localised flooding problems.
- At risk areas from flooding.
- Self-help systems for flood defences, including sandbag supplies.
- Local contact for response plan for civil emergencies.
- Erewash Borough Council will endeavour to issue filled sandbags to residents during a flooding incident.
- A supply of 10 sandbags (empty) can be collected free of charge from Ilkeston or Long Eaton Town Hall receptions during opening hours.
- Some of the parish councils in the borough have received sand and sandbags for local residents to use, however this may be dependent on their capacity to do so. Contact your local parish council for more guidance.
- Derbyshire County Council advise that there are products which you can buy which offer better protection. See Sandbags - Derbyshire County Council.
Further information and advice
- Visit the Association of British Insurers for advice on flood insurance.
- Visit the national flood forum website for advice and assistance on flooding matters.
- For further advice on knowing your flood risk visit the Know Your Flood Risk website..
- Find what to do with sandbags after a flood on the Environment Agency archives website.
- Met office website for the latest information regarding weather warnings.
Contact details
Life threatening emergency: Call 999
Erewash Borough Council: Call (0115) 907 2244. For out of hours emergencies please telephone 01629 533078.
Call Derbyshire County Council on 01629 533190
Call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0345 9881188.
