STORM EOWYN & HERMINIA

For the latest situation, please continue to use our Check-for-Flooding service: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/.

Following heavy rainfall from storms Eowyn & Herminia there was an average of 30-40mm across Wessex and some of this rain fell as intense downpours, we have also seen widespread flooding, from both surface water and rivers, over the weekend and this week.

Please see below a Flood Recovery Guide.

Reporting Flooding

Please remember to report flooding to us as soon as you can if your home or business has flooded. We understand it is a difficult time when people are affected by flooding however, we would encourage those affected to report property flooding as close to the event as possible.

Once affected residents are able, please submit a full report to floodreport.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/. This tool is available for residents across Wessex (the service is hosted by Dorset Council but is available for other local authority areas). The information provided is then shared with the risk management authorities to ensure it goes to the correct organisation depending on the source and impact of flooding.  If the portal opens on the wrong FORT region, don't worry, you will be redirected when you identify a property affected.

Reporting flooding helps us to understand the impacts on properties or communities and prioritise our response. By gathering information, specific issues impacting residents and communities are identified and recurring issues highlighted. The evidence from flood reporting is crucial in planning effective maintenance and justifying business cases for potential long-term solutions.  

Businesses

Many businesses have also been affected by flooding, with impacts not only on property but on livelihoods and the wider community. We wanted to share some resources that can help with preparation and recovery:

- Mary Long-Dhonau has produced practical guides that help businesses take proactive steps to prepare for a flood, including a Business Flood Handbook and a Business Guide to Flood Resilience. Mary has also captured many inspiring case studies in her E-Mag, where businesses have adapted their premises with Property Flood Resilience to enable a swift return to trading.

- The Flood Hub is also a good source of information about business resilience and recovery.

- The National Flood Forum is a charity that offers support to those affected by flooding, including by providing advice on insurance. The Association of British Insurers also offers practical advice for businesses affected by flooding.  

- Gov.uk has a Business Flood Plan Checklist that can help with emergency planning.

- Be Flood Ready has resources on Property Flood Resilience as well as a Business Flood Plan template.

Having a business continuity or emergency plan can make a real difference when it floods. In addition, adaptations can be made to premises that either keep water out or reduce the impacts of flooding when it does occur. If flooding occurs outside of business hours, staff might not be on site. Flood Warnings are a crucial tool for knowing when action needs to be taken, including when there are impacts on transport routes that staff or deliveries might need to use.  You don’t have to live in the warning area to sign up for this free service – start by searching for your nearest town or city.

Please direct any enquiries to our local customers and engagement team wessexenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

For enquiries related to Flood Warnings, preparedness, and resilience, you can contact the Flood Resilience team at floodwessex@environment-agency.gov.uk

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