What are the local risks?
Major river flooding
For information on what you can do to Get Ready for flooding click here.
Many agencies are involved in responding to floods. Different agencies are best equipped to deal with a specific type of flood. For example, the highways department of your local council can deal with flooding on a public highway, while the local water company would sort out a burst water main.
The Environment Agency maintains and operates flood defences and provides a 24-hour flood warning service for properties at risk from river and tidal flooding in England and Wales.
Floodline Warnings Direct is a free service that gives advance warning of flooding by telephone, mobile, fax or pager. To register for the service call Floodline on 0845 988 1188; it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To register, all you need is a telephone number where flood warnings can be sent 24 hours a day. Calls to the Floodline are charged at local call rates.
People can also find out what flood warnings are in force in their area any time of the day or night by:
- contacting Floodline 0845 988 1188 and listening to recorded flood warning messages or speaking to Environment Agency staff
- viewing Teletext (page 154) or Ceefax (page 419)
- viewing the flood warnings (updated every 15 minutes) on the Environment Agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline.
Useful telephone numbers
If you believe your personal safety is at risk from a flood or the inside of your property is about to be flooded, dial 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue service. Otherwise, report flooding events using the numbers below.
- Flooding from a main river: Environment Agency 08708 506 506.
- Flooding from a watercourse in an Internal Drainage Board area: 01234 354 396.
- Flooding from public sewers and mains: Anglian Water 08457 145 145; or if you are in Luton then contact Three Valleys Water on 0845 782 3333 for mains water and 0845 9200 888 for sewers.
- Flooding from the public highway: Bedfordshire County Council Highways Department 01234 228 661 or Luton Borough Council Highways Department on 01582 510333.
- Flooding from private sewers – see below.
- Flooding from a watercourse in a local authority operating area – see below.
- Flooding from a neighbour’s property– see below.
Customer Services, Bedford Borough Council 01234 267422
Customer Services, Mid-Bedfordshire District Council 08452 30 40 40
Customer Services, South District Bedfordshire Council 01582 472 222
Customer Services, Luton Borough Council 01582 546 000.
The Environment Agency is the main place for information on past floods, flood maps, and practical guides on protecting your home during a flood event. You can access these services and more at www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
The website has other information under 'What’s in your backyard?', including maps showing water quality, groundwater protection zones, landfill sites and much more. The Environmental Agency's website offers advice to businesses on how to put together a flood plan, which will help them develop business continuity plans.
The map above shows that Bedfordshire has a significant risk of flooding – shown in blue and green – from rivers.
Climate change means that flooding is likely to become increasingly common, and could affect both urban and rural parts of Bedfordshire. Localised flooding may occur simultaneously in several places across the county, amounting to a series of major emergencies that may be short term or protracted.
The Fire and Rescue Service has one rescue boat and associated water rescue equipment. Each fire appliance carries four dry suits (with thermal undersuits), buoyancy aids, life jackets and throw lines. All crews are trained to use the equipment and work safely near water.
Two fire stations (Bedford and Stopsley) are named as water rescue specialist stations, and their crews are trained to enter the fast-moving water to rescue people. They carry additional specialist water rescue equipment to help them.
The RAC's website has some useful tips about cars and floods, and some important safety advice about what to do with your car if it appears flood damaged. You can get the information at: www.rac.co.uk/web/knowhow/going_on_a_journey/driving_advice/floods.
To learn more about local plans in place to respond to this hazard click here.
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