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Flooding

In Dudley

Flooding in Dudley from river courses is limited to the River Stour which passes through Stourbridge, Lye, Cradley and Halesowen.

Over the last number of years flooding in these areas has been rarely known but in the summer of 2007, the River Stour broke its bank in both Stourbridge and Halesowen, in the latter area causing water up to some 1 metre in depth in homes.

The borough does not suffer from pluvial flooding i.e. standing water and lack of drainage, but following the exceptional rainfall in 2007 some areas of the borough were affected by this.

Although rare, it does not mean that flooding does not occur and our community should be aware of what to do in this eventuality.

Dudley Council’s Contingency and Disaster Management Unit have therefore produced a plan to deal with such events and provide advice for homeowners and businesses; please see the attached documents.

Act Now

Check with the Environment Agency Floods website to see if your property is vulnerable.
Sign up to the FREE flood alerts at FLOODLINE on 0845 988 1188.
Check your insurance policy to make sure you are covered for flood damage; if not include it. The average cost of flood damage to a house is £30,000; you cannot afford not to be covered.

Work with neighbours so that you can help each other if flooding is imminent.

The Environment Agency refers to a 1-in-100 year flood. This risk means that a flood has a 1 per cent chance of occurring in any one year. The 2007 floods were in this category.

Environment Agencies Flood Advice Leaflets.

Flood Warnings on Facebook

A Facebook application has been developed (known as 'FloodAlerts') that shows warnings in force around England and Wales using live data from the Environment Agency. This innovative application will give people better and easier access to flood warning information through social media. It is free and will increase the reach of the Environment Agency's flood warning service to many more people.

Facebook members can use the search facility to find the app for 'FloodAlerts' then all you need to do is 'like' the application. If there's a particular place or postcode that you wish to monitor the app will prompt you to enter this. You will then get 'alert' notifications on your Facebook wall when a flood alert, warning or severe flood warning has been issued for your monitored location, and you can also choose to set-up an email address so that you can receive 'alert' notifications by email. Users can also use the maps to zoom into the location where the warning has been issued for and view additional information such as street level images and aerial photography.

Emergency Flood Guide

Flooding can cause other problems such as loss of power or water to your property

Simple steps

Make sure you have the correct insurance cover.
Find out how to isolate gas, water and electricity supplies.
Keep a list of useful numbers you may need.
Make an Emergency Kit (see link below).
Think about the needs of babies, children, the elderly and infirm and help them by ensuring they know what to do in an emergency.

If floods are forecast

Listen out for SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS for flash floods on radio and TV, or phone Floodline 0845 988 1188 for river floods.
Move valuables, sentimental items and important documents to safety.
Look after pets and move vehicles to high ground.
Have a supply of sandbags.
Alert vulnerable neighbours.

If floods are imminent

Switch off gas, water and electricity at the mains.
Ensure sandbags and other flood defences are in place and cover air bricks.
Put plugs in sinks, baths and low level shower trays and weigh them down to prevent backflow.
Store electrical items and furniture as high as possible.
Do what you can in daylight.
Evacuate basements.

After the floods

Clean taps and run water through before use.
Have power and gas supplies checked by professionals before turning them back on.
Throw away contaminated and perished food.
Contact your insurance company.

Your insurance company will arrange for a loss adjuster and other specialists to visit your home to assess the damage. They will manage the clean up of certain damaged areas.

You will need pumps to remove water (the fire service will only do this in an emergency). BEWARE OF FUMES FROM PETROL OR DIESEL GENERATORS OR GAS HEATERS – THEY CAN KILL.
Shovel out mud.
Wear protective clothing and wash well after as you may be contaminated (sewerage and other contaminates may be present)
Hose out then clean with disinfectant, soapy water and rinse.
Take furniture and contents outside to prevent mildew and mould.
Use fans and dehumidifiers or the central heating to dry out the building. Drying out can take weeks or even months, if done too quickly structural damage may be done.
Keep windows and doors open for ventilation and remove any air brick covers.
Don’t let children play in flood water it may be contaminated.
Don’t let children or pets onto contaminated land. Remove any sewerage by bagging it then hosing the area down. Allow grass to grow, and once cut sunlight and soil will destroy harmful bacteria within a week.

Water advice

Follow the advice of water companies regarding the safety of water supplies.
If in doubt boil water for drinking, washing food and cooking.
Use bottled water for infant feed.

Financial help

If you are unable to live in your property you may get council tax relief.
Talk to the Citizens Advice Bureau for free confidential and independent advice.
Flood relief funds may be available to provide assistance.
Your insurance company will confirm your level of cover and inform you what you are entitled to claim for

Cold callers

Beware of doorstep callers offering help and bogus contractors, they may overcharge or attempt to steal from you

Use door chains
Check a caller’s identification and phone the company to check they are genuine if you have any doubts.
Tradesmen who can start the next day are the ones you should beware of.
Ask to be put in touch with past clients to check their work.
Beware of someone with only a mobile phone number and no business address.

Waste disposal

Some flood waste can be disposed of by the normal refuse collection; other may be special waste which will need to be loaded into skips. The council can advise if you need a license to put a skip on a public highway.

Flood defences

Consider if your property needs some form of flood defence system, these are expensive but if you are prone to regular flooding it may be worth the investment.