With the weather forecast remaining uncertain and with the water tables high, Island Roads is reminding residents what they can do to help reduce the risk of flooding.
This week’s flooding has been caused in the main by the ‘perfect storm’ of exceptionally high rainfall coupled with high tides.
While in these circumstances, a degree of flooding is, unfortunately, to be expected, landowners are reminded of the need to keep watercourses and drainage ditches within their land well maintained and clear of debris. This is particularly so following the recent flooding where debris will have been deposited within these ditches and watercourses.
Debris that ends up the highway can also quickly block drains and culverts which can increase the likelihood of highway flooding.
Homeowners in areas prone to flooding are also being urged to take steps to protect their properties from floodwater.
While sandbags are made available at strategic locations in the events of flooding, the council does not have a statutory duty to provide residents with sandbags during a flooding incident. It is the homeowner’s or landlord’s responsibility to protect their property and they should not rely on the limited number made available in emergencies as supplies will simply be outstripped by demand in extreme flooding events.
Dave Wallis, Island Roads operations and maintenance manager said:
“With the water table remaining high and the prospect of further rain during the coming days, there remains a risk of further flooding – particularly around high tides.
“It really is important that people do what they can to reduce the risk of floodwater entering the highway network. This includes ensuring watercourses within their land are free flowing and clear of debris and also that drainage ditches are well-maintained and working at optimum capacity.
“We would also like to remind motorist to always drive to the conditions and to take particular care while the risk of flooding remains.”
Advice on the maintenance of watercourses and ditches is available at https://islandroads.com/our-highway-service/maintenance-activities/drains-ditching-and-flooding/.
The Isle of Wight Council has also has a webpage giving advice on flooding – https://www.iow.gov.uk/keep-the-island-safe/severe-weather/flooding/.
Other advice is available below:
- If you need to be evacuated because of severe flooding or damage, contact the police or dial 999
- For general issues around flooding, contact Island Roads on 01983 823600
- If you believe the flooding is from a main river or the sea, contact the Environment Agency
- The Environment Agency also provides help on flooding issues via its Floodline – 0345 988 1188
- To report flooding on the highway or drainage issues, contact Island Roads
- Notify Southern Water if flooding affects your mains sewage/public drains
- Notify the National Grid to report a gas leak as the result of flooding on 0800 111 999
- Notify SSE of electrical issues such as power cuts by calling 105
- For non-emergency calls pertaining to vulnerable older people, call Adult Services on 01983 823340 or 01983 821105 outside of office hours
- Call NHS 111 for non-urgent health concerns
Christ advice from Island Roads and the incompetent council .. best avoid such advice .. their job to sort this
Don’t worry the beavers they what to introduce will sort all these problems out…..!
I don’t think so they will make it even worse
If you haven’t got sandbags or none can be found anywhere, you can just fill doubled up black bags with dirt and seal with strong tape. Even old pillow cases can be used as makeshift sandbags. Anything to divert the water elsewhere.
And have sewage contamination in a bag of mud. Just silicone up the gaps around the door and air bricks and use a downstairs window to exit until the water drops.
If we all fill our slow release water butts then like other’saving’ the planet farces it will ensure that there will be no difference, but make the gullible feel better
What a shambles. What would the Romans have done.
not build any houses on floodplains or places that have flooded in the past
Pop round to Seeley, Jordans or anyone from the environment agencies home and ask to sleep there for a few nights. I am sure will NOT let you in. The council and it’s waste of OUR money attitude need to go.
So you’re offering your home up are you or just expecting someone else to do everything for you.
I really feel for the poor people that have been effected by this awful weather. I can’t imagine being in that position. But if I thought my property was in anyway at risk of
Flooding I would already have sandbags, pumps and anything else I could use to prevent it. It seems very few people want to help themselves. This weather has been extraordinary. The gates could have been shut and an investigation into pump operations by SW & EA. Their is some arse kicking to be done for sure.
Don’t forget to put the planks in the flood defence gate, but don’t hire a contractor to do it