What is flooding?
Flooding is a natural disaster that occurs when water covers land that is usually dry. This can happen due to several reasons, including heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, storm surges, and the failure of dams or levees. Floods can cause extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, and they pose significant risks to human health and safety. Understanding the causes and impacts of flooding is crucial for effective preparation and response.
There are 4 different types of flooding. Click on the content below to learn more:
Types of flooding
Coastal flooding is caused by
- high tides
- low pressure weather systems
- surge conditions caused by strong winds blowing large waves towards the shore.
As sea levels continue to rise because of climate change, the risk of coastal flooding will also increase. In these events, there is the risk that seawater can over top coastal defences and can cause significant damage and disruption to communities.
Recovery to flooding incidents can take many months, if not years.
Fluvial flooding occurs when waterways such as rivers, streams or brooks overflow their banks into surrounding areas. This risk is most likely to occur following periods of intense rainfall and will become more frequent as a result of climate change.
- Ground water flooding is when water under the ground (the water table) rises to the surface.
- This is a risk to properties that have underground rooms, such as cellars and basements.
- Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight we have many areas that have chalk under the ground (bed rock). These places are more likely to experience ground water flooding.
- For more information on ground water and the risk of flooding, please follow the link below to the British Geological Survey’s pages
Surface water flooding happens when heavy rain overwhelms drainage systems, causing water to flow over the land instead of through the drains. This can occur in many places, even in towns or cities far from the sea or rivers. It’s hard to predict accurately and can happen suddenly, especially with short, intense rainstorms becoming more common due to climate change.
In the UK, almost 5 million people are currently at risk of flooding and this is likely to increase with climate change.
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have experienced severe flooding in the past. In the 2013/2014 winter there was a large flooding event, which impacted over 1,500 homes and businesses. While many flooded, thousands more properties were protected by flood defences.
Local Risk Rating
Many people think that flooding will never happen to them, but it could.
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is at risk of coastal, river, ground water, and surface water flooding. Each type of flooding has been individually rated as part of the local risk assessment process:
- Coastal Flooding – Very High
- Fluvial Flooding – Very High
- Ground Water Flooding – Very High
- Surface Water Flooding – High
What does the Local Resilience Forum do to prepare?
Due to changing climate and weather conditions, it is likely we will see an increase in flooding. While we cannot stop extreme weather events, we can plan which helps to reduce the risk and impact of flooding.
Within the LRF, each organisation has different roles and responsibilities, for flooding the main organisations are the Environment Agency, the Local Authorities, and the Water Companies:
- The Environment Agency is the lead agency for flooding from main rivers and the sea
- County and Upper Tier local authorities work as Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA) and are the lead agency with regards to the flood risk from surface water and groundwater
- Water companies work with LLFAs to help manage surface water flooding
The Environment Agency works to reduce the impact of flooding through maintenance, operation, and investment in new assets. The EA also has plans for reducing the risk from flooding including:
- The use of fixed and temporary defences
- Public warning and informing alert systems
- Local and national response mechanisms
As a partnership we look at which areas could be impacted by flood water and who is at risk, including damage to local and critical national infrastructure. We create multi-agency plans to manage flooding and assist with a co-ordinated response by emergency responders. When the plans are in place, we then work with communities at risk to plan for what they can do in the event of a flood. More than 60 communities have worked with us to produce their own Community Emergency Action Plan.
Associated Risks
- Storms
- Land movement
- Water infrastructure failure or loss of drinking water
- Accident on motorway or major trunk road
How can you prepare?
1. Before a flood
Check your flood risk
Sign up to flood warnings
Take action to protect your property
Check your house insurance
Discuss the risk of flooding with people you live with
Have a household evacuation plan
Make sure you know how to turn off the gas and electricity supply
Identify neighbours who may need help
Have a grab bag with food, medication and clothes
Check your flood risk
Find out if your property is within a flood risk area through the Environment Agency website using the button below
or call the flood line on 0345 988 1188
Sign up to flood warnings
Sign up to receive flood warnings for your area using the button below
Sign up to weather warnings
As a member of the public, you can access and sign up to receive information from the Met Office on weather warnings for your area. You can sign up to receive these warnings by email via the following link:
2. During a flood
Keep up to date with Environment Agency flood warnings
Use your household emergency plan
Move people, pets, valuable items upstairs or in a high place downstairs
If possible, move electrical equipment upstairs or to a high place downstairs
Check on neighbours who may require assistance
If you need to evacuate, turn off utilities
If you need to evacuate, take your grab bag
Don't drive or walk through flood water
If you have to walk through flood water, use a stick to check for debris
3. After a flood
If you've evacuated, check with your local council for when it's safe to return
Take photos of the damage before you start clearing up
Report the flooding to your local Council and the Environment Agency
Check with someone qualified before turning on your utilities
Contact your insurance company/landlord and follow their advice
If you are concerned about your water supply or its colour, contact your water company
Helpful links and resources
National Flood Forum
The National Flood Forum is a national charity supporting individuals and communities who have been flooded.
Flood Re
Flood Re provides information and support related to flooding risk and insurance
Blue Pages
Blue Pages is a directory of property flood products and services. This website can advise and inform you of what’s available to help reduce the risk of flooding to your home or business.
Local Authority Flood and Water Management
Hampshire County Council
Visit this page to get information on flood and water management in Hampshire.
Isle of Wight Council
Visit this page to get information on floods on the Isle of Wight.
