How to prepare for a flood
Flooding can occur anywhere - you do not have to live near a river, stream or reservoir to be affected. This is because the drainage system, whether open watercourses or pipes, can become overwhelmed by the amount of water it is expected to carry. In addition, when the ground is saturated even small extra amounts of rainfall can have difficulty draining away from gardens and enclosed spaces.
Owing to the nature of this type of flooding, it is very difficult to predict where it will happen. Flooding can happen quickly and unexpectedly and is only set to increase due to climate change.
For information about understanding your flood risk, see the Be Flood Ready website.
- How to protect your property
- Emergency kit and personal flood plans
- Community flood plans
- Sign up for flood warnings
- Check river levels
Sandbags or flood barriers
- Sandbags are not suitable for all circumstances or events and cannot be guaranteed to prevent your property from flooding - they must be used correctly to have the best chance of success (and are only effective for water up to about 20cm/8" deep).
- While we do not provide sandbags for individual domestic use, they may be provided for strategic deployment during flooding (for the protection of essential services such as electricity or water supplies).
- If you wish to keep a stock of sandbags, your local builders' merchants should be able to help you. Your parish council may also have a supply of sandbags.
- The Flood Hub website contains information on alternatives to sandbags.
Moving your vehicle - Hereford city centre flooding
The council is able to provide you with a parking permit to move your vehicle to Greyfriars Car Park or Wye Street Car Park if you live in an eligible property.