Emergency planning information

Emergency services

• 999. Use this number to contact the emergency services in the event of an emergency.
• Police non-emergency 101. Use this number to:
  • contact Essex Police about a non-emergency crime issue
  • contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team
  • seek crime prevention or personal safety advice
  • contact your nearest police station
  • speak to them about any other non-emergency issue.

Flooding

From water pipes or sewage

• Anglian Water covers the Braintree district for sewage disposal and part of the district for drinking water supply.
• For sewage and drainage emergencies contact Anglian Water on 08457 145 145.
• To report a leak call 0800 771 881.
• For issues with your drinking water supply quality or a leak contact Affinity on 0345 357 2407.
• If there is danger to life from flooding, ring 999. 

From rivers and the sea

This type of flooding should be reported to the Environment Agency.

• Incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60.
• Essex County Highways: 0845 603 7631.

To listen to recorded flood warning information for your area or speak to someone for advice call Flood Warnings in Force on 0845 988 1188.

Non-emergency matters such as potholes or kerb defects can be reported online to Essex County Council.

From highway drains or gullies

Flooding caused by overflowing drains or gullies within the highway network (managed by Essex County Council) should be reported to your local area highways office on 0845 603 7631 (Essex Highways).

Non-emergency matters such as potholes or kerb defects can be reported online to Essex County Council.

From surface water (rainfall)

If you are experiencing flooding to your property from surface water, groundwater or an ordinary watercourse (open ditches, culverts and drains), contact The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) on 08457 430 430.

They are responsible for managing flood risk from:

• Groundwater flooding.This is when heavy or prolonged rainfall makes the groundwater table rise above its normal level.
• Ordinary watercourses (streams and ditches).This includes channels which cannot contain large volumes of surface water runoff during or after heavy rain.
• Surface water (rainfall) runoff.This includes flows from, or over, surfaces such as roads, roofs and patios that cannot easily absorb water.

Who to contact for damage caused by flooding

If your property has been damaged by surface water flooding, Essex County Council may be able to investigate the cause of the flooding and recommend solutions. Email floods@essex.gov.uk or call 08457 430 430.

Sandbags

We do not provide sandbags to residents and businesses.

Gas or electrical emergencies

For gas leaks and emergencies contact National Grid on 0800 111 999. Save 105 to your phone, the free national power cut emergency and gas number. 

For electrical emergencies including damage to high voltage towers, overhead electricity lines or substations, contact National Grid on 0800 40 40 90.

Report a power cut

Call UK Power Network on 0800 31 63 105 or text POWER and your postcode to 80876, or 0333 32 32 105 if you are calling from a mobile.

• Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the latest update.
• Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut and type in your postcode to their live power cut map.
• Follow them on X (formerly Twitter) for updates.
• See updates on their Facebook page.

Eastlight Community Homes 

You can report an emergency repair to Eastlight Community Homes if you have a home from them. Call 0330 128 0330.

This is for any repair that is a serious risk to health, safety or security to you or your home. Includes a total loss of heating or electricity, a gas leak, a flood or a collapsed ceiling. They'll visit within 24 hours. 

Pollution

Environment Agency Incident hotline: 0800 807 060.

Braintree District Council

• Phone 01376 552525
• Email csc@braintree.gov.uk