Flooding from a river
By their very nature, disasters or major emergencies cannot be predicted and even severe storms or flooding may take many by surprise. The emergency services and local authorities have made special arrangements should a disaster occur and they would implement the necessary action quickly.

Property owners are responsible for protecting their own properties in the event of flooding, if you are a tenant it will be your landlord who has this responsibility. Local authorities do not have a legal obligation to store and provide the public with sandbags but may help if they can.

You are responsible for protecting your own property from flooding which means being prepared in terms of having a stock of sandbags or knowing where you can obtain them. The Yellow Pages will have valuable information under - 'Builders Merchants', 'Sack and Bag', 'DIY Stores' or ring The Builders Centre 0800 529529 for your local store. If your property is in imminent danger of being flooded, and you are unable to obtain them yourself, your local Council may issue sandbags.

The main rivers are the responsibility of the Environment Agency (0845 933 311) and they provide a Floodline 24hr advice and information service

Flooding of the highway
Road flooding can occur from blocked/damaged gullies/drains.Braintree District Council sweep all roads and streets in Halstead, Braintree, Witham and Great Notley approximately every 6 weeks whilst the roads and streets outside these areas are swept every 12 weeks.

Should you see a blocked drain, please contact us with as much information about the location of the drain (such as adjacent house or lampost number).

Telephone 01376 552525
email - csc@braintree.gov.uk