Flooding emergencies

Find out on this page what to do if there is, or there is likely to be flooding in the New Forest area.

Check the risk

Check the flood risk in your area at GOV.UK, check for flooding or by calling 0345 988 1188. This is a free service that provides flood warnings direct to you by telephone, mobile, email or SMS text message.

If you have a flood warning in your area, you should treat it seriously; the action you need to take is different for each type. In rising severity, these are:

• flood alert - flooding is possible
• flood warning - flooding is expected
• severe flood warning - flooding could be a risk to life and significant disruption to communities (These may be issued before, during or after flooding)

More information is available here - Flood alerts and warnings: what they are and what to do - GOV.UK

Preparing for a flood

If you are a homeowner, it is your responsibility to protect your property from flooding. If you are aware that there is a risk of flooding at your home, make sure you have a plan in case of an emergency.

This should include:

• an emergency box stored in a safe place which contains emergency telephone numbers, battery powered torch and extra batteries, mobile phone and charger, notebook and pencil, first aid kit, essential keys, cash and debit cards, emergency food/pet food, toiletries, medications.
• emergency household contact details
• think about what you would do if evacuated - where could you go - family or friends? Consider your pets as well
• think about what you should turn off (electricity, gas, water)
• your insurance details
• other useful information such as local radio stations

Further information can be found at Prepare for flooding: Protect your property - GOV.UK

Flood advice

If there is flooding in your local area, please help emergency services by following the advice below:

• only travel if necessary
• don't ignore a flood warning or a road closure sign
• give yourself plenty of time for your journey and always have a second route planned

If you must drive:

• never drive into flood water; just 15cm (6 inches) of water is enough to cause a loss of control and steering, and 30cm may be enough to cause many vehicles to float away.
• slow down and leave plenty of room between you and the car in front
• use your headlights if visibility is poor
• do not to enter flood water in case of hidden hazards such as lifted manhole covers
• river flooding is possible so stay away from swollen rivers