Flooding incidents

You can report flooding or mud on the road, or blocked drains and gullies.

Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, we are classified as a Category 1 responder for most emergencies including flooding.

The Lead Local Flood Authority is not a response team but has several statutory roles including the following responsibilities in helping to manage a flood event.

• Planning – Preparing for emergencies
• Investigation – Flood investigations – known as Section 19s
• Supporting Community Recovery – Flooding information

We also have a duty to cooperate with other risk management authorities who are responsible for managing flooding across Somerset.

We do not investigate all instances of flooding – for example, gardens, land or ancillary buildings. Where we have decided to investigate a significant flooding issue, usually internal flooding to 5 or more properties, we will review the relevant correspondence and make this information available to the officer leading the Section 19 flood investigation.

We work with colleagues and other authorities wherever possible to provide communities with regular joint updates about any ongoing investigations.

Useful links

• GOV.UK – Flood Information Service website
• Community Council For Somerset – The Village Agents offer support to people who have been flooded – you can phone them on 01823 331222, or you can request a call back requested by using the orange box at the top of their website.
• Property Flood Resilience and Resistance – there is much that can be done at a property level to both keep water out and adapt the home to help with swift recovery after a flood. The Flood Hub has a comprehensive general guide to Property Flood Resilience.
• Somerset Talking Therapies – flooding is very distressing, and it’s very common for people’s emotional health to be affected by flooding. Somerset Talking Therapies understands this and will treat any referrals caused by natural disasters as a priority. People can either be referred by their GP or they can refer themselves.
• Rotary Club Flood Packs – Rotary Clubs in Somerset have a supply of free flood packs for homes in danger of flash floods. The pack consists of compact, self-inflating bags which you can use to protect homes against flash floods. They can also be strung together to form a wall. To find out more, please email david303welch@btinternet.com
• National Flood Forum – a UK charity set up to support people at risk of flooding. They operate a helpline, and their website has a number of resources that might help, including guidance on insurance.

Works to watercourses

Works to a watercourse may require Land Drainage Consent – information, including how to apply is on our Apply for consent to work on an ordinary watercourse page.

We receive a high number of queries reporting concerns about the maintenance of local watercourses, drains and ditches. In most cases, it is the landowner’s responsibility to maintain these for effective drainage. We endeavour to raise awareness of these responsibilities, including engaging at a community level through our Somerset Rivers Authority-funded Riparian Responsibilities Officer.

The Lead Local Flood Authority has discretionary powers – but not a duty – under the Land Drainage Act 1991 to take enforcement action against landowners who fail to properly maintain these systems resulting in flooding. We have a local policy outlining our approach to enforcement –  Land Drainage Enforcement Policy.

Our role in town and county planning

We receive many queries about the impact of new developments on flood risk.

For more information about how we promote the use of sustainable drainage systems, through the provision of technical advice and guidance to Local Planning Authorities, see our Sustainable Drainage in Somerset page.

We have recently completed a Somerset Rivers Authority-funded project to develop web-based guidance and local standards for Somerset. This guidance will bring about an ambitious and consistent approach to the design, construction and ongoing monitoring of sustainable drainage systems for developers, designers, contractors and the public. First, a draft version of the guidance will be rolled out, but it is envisaged that the guidance will become a Supplementary Planning Document, underpinning local plan policy.

If you have any questions about a specific planning application, please contact the Local Planning Authority in the first instance.

Contact the team

Email flooding@somerset.gov.uk