Time to be prepared for flooding

It's Flood Action Week so it's time for Surrey residents who live near river or other watercourses, or who can be impacted by surface water or groundwater flooding, to be prepared in case of severe weather over the winter months.

With 13 flood alerts currently in place in Surrey, making sure you're aware of your home's flood risk and getting prepared in case of flooding is especially important. Ensuring any watercourses you're responsible for are kept running freely could also help protect your home and those around you.

Flooding risk is increasing due to climate change, and it's important to help communities to become more resilient to extreme weather and rising sea levels. Taking steps to prepare for flooding can reduce the costs of damage to a home by around 40%, as well as reducing the impact on the wellbeing of victims.

Check the risk and be prepared

Residents are advised to check their home's flood risk by visiting check long-term flood risk or calling the Floodline on 0345 988 1188. There is also the opportunity to register for flood alerts and warnings.

If there is a risk of flooding, there's advice on how to be prepared for a flood.

If you, or someone you know, is vulnerable, requires additional assistance or has additional communication needs then you can sign up to the Priority Services Register by contacting your utility providers. It is free and can help you or a loved one to stay safe, warm and independent at home.

Minimise the chances of flooding

Residents who own land next to watercourses like ditches, streams or brooks are 'riparian landowners' – this means that they are responsible for keeping these watercourses clear, even though they may seem to be beyond their boundary or run through a piped section.

Over the autumn, leaves and branches fall and silt builds up. Keeping ditches and other watercourses clear could help prevent homes from flooding later in the winter.

Visit Flooding advice - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk) for more information.

River Thames Scheme

At the same time, the River Thames Scheme (RTS) is launching a six-week consultation for people to have their say on new plans which respond to the challenges of flooding and creating more access to open green spaces and sustainable travel routes.

The scheme, which includes a new flood channel, will reduce the risk of flooding to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, while also providing habitat for wildlife and a new feature in the landscape for recreation. The channel will be flanked by new areas of public green open space, for recreation and spending time with nature. New footpaths and cycleways will run along the channel and through the new public spaces, linking different elements of the scheme with communities and providing better connections within and across the area. Areas of new and improved habitat for wildlife and nature recovery will connect with existing nature sites and wildlife corridors to provide a new nature recovery network along the length of the channel that supports even more biodiversity.

The plans which will be going on display include:

  • A new river channel built in two sections – one section through Runnymede (between Egham Hythe and Chertsey) and one through Spelthorne (between Littleton North lake and the Desborough Cut)
  • Capacity increases around the Desborough Cut and the weirs at Sunbury, Molesey and Teddington
  • Improved access to quality green open space and connections with wildlife, in addition to supporting a more sustainable travel network
  • A network of high-quality habitat to achieve a biodiversity net gain