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Emergency flooding

Flooding update - October 2024

Road closures due to flooding

No closures are currently in place due to flooding.

Last updated: 8.30am on Saturday 12 October 2024.

Did you experience flooding?

Please let us know if you, or someone you know, have been flooded recently. This is so that we have all the information about residents who have experienced flooding during the extreme weather in September and October 2024, and to help us to understand the nature of flooding events in our borough.  

Please email floodrisk@bedford.gov.uk with as much detail as you can and include images where possible. 

Check for flood warnings and alerts

Check for the risk of flooding by town, city or postcode.  

Check for flooding

Sign up to get flood warnings

You can sign up to get warnings in England by phone, email or text message if your home or business is at risk of flooding. The service is free.

Sign up to get flood warnings

How to prepare for a flood

  • Visit the Floodline on the GOV.UK website 
  • Put together an overnight bag in case you have to be evacuated
  • Consider proactively protecting your property by protecting doorways and low level air vents with sandbags or plastic bags filled with sand or earth.
  • Check on your neighbours, especially those who are elderly or infirm and inform the Emergency Services or Flood Warden of their location.

What to do during a flood

Call the emergency services on 999 and ask for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service if your property is being flooded and there is threat to life.
  • Keep calm, if you are in danger dial 999 and/or attract attention of people nearby.
  • Turn off water, gas and electricity supplies at the first sign of flooding in your property.
  • If trapped, remain near a window where you can be seen.
  • If the Emergency Services are on the scene, follow their instructions.
  • Be prepared, you may need to be evacuated.
  • Do not enter flood waters as depth and current can be deceiving. Just 6 inches (15cm) of flood water can knock an adult off their feet. The flood waters may also be contaminated with sewage and there may be hidden dangers.
  • Move your family, pets and valuables upstairs or to higher ground if threatened by floods.

Recovering after a flood

Let us know if you have been flooded 

So that we have all the information about residents who have experienced flooding, please let us know if you, or someone you know, has been flooded. Please email us with as much detail as you can and include images where possible at floodrisk@bedford.gov.uk. This will help us to understand the nature of flooding events in our borough. 

After a flood and returning home 

Below is some advice and practical steps for those who have experienced flooding in their home or business. 

1. Ensure it is safe to return to your property – take care when re-entering your property, and only return when it is safe to do so. Floodwaters may contain contaminated water and hide dangers, for example structural issues and electrical hazards.

2. If you are unable to return to your property or make your own arrangements for alternative accommodation with family, friends or through your insurance company, please contact Bedford Borough Council’s Housing team on 01234 718 058.

3. Support for vulnerable residents – if you require support or assistance from our Adult Social Care team, please call 01234 276 168 during usual business hours. The team can also be contacted out of hours in an emergency on 0300 300 850. Alternatively, email : adultservicescontactteam@bedford.gov.uk with details of the assistance you require.

4. Check the safety of electricity and gas before use – contact a suitably qualified and competent electrician and/or gas engineer to check any electrical and gas equipment that have been exposed to floodwater, before using them again. You can find a tradesperson endorsed through the UK government’s quality scheme at www.trustmark.org.uk, or www.buywithconfidence, which is operated by local authority Trading Standards services. Gas engineers must be registered with Gas Safe to complete the work you require. You can find and check whether an engineer is registered for the works you need at www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer-or-check-the-register. In the event of a power cut or gas leak, contact your energy provider. You can check your area’s provider by entering your property’s postcode on the Ofgem website.

5. Report sewage flooding – contact Anglian Water if you experience sewage flooding in your property on 0345 714 5145. 

6. Contact your insurance company – speak to your insurer as soon as possible and follow their advice. Most insurers have a 24 hour helpline for support. Do not throw away damaged goods until your insurer has authorised you to do so. We advise taking photographs or videos of all the damage and creating an inventory of your affected belongings.

7. Handle property clean up safely – when cleaning up your property after a flood, avoid contact with any remaining floodwater or items that have had contact with floodwater, unless you are wearing protective gloves and clothing.  

8. Dispose of damaged items and used aqua sacs – if you have insurance, arrange for clearance, collection and disposal of any damaged items with their insurance company, as part of your claim.

If you do not have property insurance, please email Bedford Borough Council at floodrisk@bedford.gov.uk for support. 

Used aqua sacs can be placed in your residential black waste bin for collection by Bedford Borough Council, or beside it, on your usual waste collection day. Please only dispose of a maximum of 3 sacs at one time in this way.

9. Dispose of contaminated food – dispose of any contaminated food, including tinned, defrosted and packaged foods that have been exposed to floodwater.

10. Ventilate your property – once it is safe to enter, ventilate your property to help dry it out but keep security in mind.

11. Watch out for rogue contractors – during difficult times, bogus or cowboy builders and traders may offer their services. Make sure you get a written quotation that is on letterheaded paper with a landline contact number and address. You can find a tradesperson endorsed through the UK government’s quality scheme at www.trustmark.org.uk, or www.buywithconfidence, which is operated by local authority Trading Standards services. Gas engineers must be registered with Gas Safe to complete the work you require. You can find and check whether an engineer is registered for the works you need at www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer-or-check-the-register.

Useful flood recovery contacts 

Experiencing a flood can be distressing, and the activities of normal life can be disrupted. For most people, feeling temporarily distressed does not interfere with their abilities to cope with the process of recovery. However, it is important not to underestimate the stress and strain of being flooded and cleaning up after floods.

Take the time to consider your and your family's mental health and wellbeing. Do not overdo it when cleaning up, and remember that tiredness, difficulty sleeping and anxiety are normal in these circumstances.

Samaritans and Mind BLMK are both charities that can provide emotional and wellbeing support at a difficult time. 

Sandbags and aqua-sacs

The protection of your property is a matter for you and ultimately it is your decision.

We would suggest, however, that you consider other flood defence products that have been proven to be more efficient and effective than sandbags. This video shows the use of aqua-sacs during flood conditions and the benefits of this product when compared to the use of traditional sand bags.

Our Flood Risk Team will assess the risk to property flooding and aqua-sacs or sandbags will only be deployed where there is an imminent risk of internal property flooding.

Our role during an emergency

  • support the lead role of the emergency services
  • support the local and wider community
  • mitigate the effects of an emergency
  • lead on the recovery (after the emergency)

We have a dedicated phone line for flooding. Please call 01234 718007.

Related content

Report flooding
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