How the LRF responds
Flood
The Bedfordshire and Luton Flood Response Plan has been designed to be used in the early stages of a flood. It deals with the main areas where there is an immediate need for co-operation, joint working and co-ordination.
The plan determines 'trigger points' which help decide when the plan should be used, procedures to co-ordinate the response to flooding, an explanation of the roles that need to be carried out and by whom, and other information that may be useful to responding agencies – such as specific information on local hydrology which will help inform any response, and anticipate a timeline for when flooding may occur.
What you should do:
If you believe that your personal safety is at risk from a flood, or the inside of your property is about to be flooded, then please call the Fire and Rescue service via 999.
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.
- Make up a flood kit – including key personal documents, insurance policy, emergency contact numbers (including local council, emergency services and Floodline – 0845 988 1188), torch, battery or windup radio, mobile phone & charger, rubber gloves, wet wipes or antibacterial hand gel, first aid kit and blankets.
- Make sure you have adequate insurance. Flood damage is included in most buildings insurance policies, but do check your home and contents are covered.
- Access the Environment Agency’s website to check flood risks to property (this can be followed up by advice from the Agency, for example whether the property in question is protected to some degree by physical defences).
- Contact the Environment Agency to be registered on their Flood Warnings Direct scheme (however, this does not apply to surface water or sewerage flooding and you should remain alert to weather forecasts).
- Keep vital possessions, such as financial and legal documents and items of sentimental value, upstairs or stored as high as possible in waterproof containers and have plans in place to move items at short notice.
- Make a list of other useful numbers you may need – your local council, the emergency services and your Floodline quick dial number.
- Make sure you know where to turn off your gas, electricity and water. If you are not sure, ask the person who checks your meter when they next visit. Mark the tap or switch with a sticker to help you remember.
The Environment Agency have published an excellent guide which gives practical
advice on how to prepare you and your property for flooding - download
here for free.
For more about how to prepare for flooding visit the Environment Agency's
'Prepare for Flooding' pages by clicking
here.
To learn more about the risk of flooding click here.
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