Kingston Community Risk Register

Flooding incidents in cities are often the result of burst river banks or surface water. River flooding is the result of several days or weeks of heavy rain, swelling the volume of water flowing in rivers and affecting areas in the immediate area. 

Surface water flooding  can be caused by sudden heavy downpours or burst water mains where the drainage system is overwhelmed. Surface water flooding can be difficult to predict and can happen anywhere in the borough and at any time of the year (summer storms). This can impact areas that have little or no experience of flooding.

The Environment Agency maintains and operates flood defences and provides a free 24 hour flood warning service which you can register for. You can select to receive warnings by your preferred method of communication. Always ensure you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies.

Impacts

• Evacuation.
• Loss of access to home and work locations.
• Diversion routes and disruption to transport routes.
• Isolation.
• Increase in vulnerability.
• Health issues.
• Disruption to normal life and business for prolonged periods (recovery).

What residents and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector can do

• Find out if your property is in a flood risk area and check your insurance cover.
• Sign up for flood warnings - https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings.
• Sign up for weather warnings - https://www.metoffice.gov/weather/weather-and-advice/uk-warnings.
• Support vulnerable neighbours.
• Support vulnerable users / clients (CVSE).
• During a flood protect what you can, but evacuate when told to do so. 
• Ensure high school children know alternative routes to school, home and to your chosen relocation site.

Have a home or community flood plan

• Environment Agency Personal Flood Plan
• Environment Agency  Community Flood Plan
• Plan where you will relocate to, if you have to evacuate and how will you get there.
• Plan what you will take with you if you need to evacuate - medicines, money, insurance details, pet/s & clothing.
• Think about what you would want to move to safety during a flood - important documents, electrical goods (PC’s & white goods), pets.
• Switch off / shut off all electrical goods and utility supplies.