Flood Advice
Gillingham is situated along the River Lodden, the River Shreen and the River Stour. These rivers, along with their tributaries, can swell during heavy rainfall, leading to the overflow of riverbanks and localized flooding.
If you own a property which is liable to flooding, it is your responsibility to take preventative measures to eliminate the risk. Residents are encouraged to monitor the situation and take precautions, such as purchasing their own sandbags, checking pumps and preparing property resilience measures.
Dorset Council have statutory responsibilities and duties as a Category 1 Emergency Responder as set out by the Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) 2004. THE CCA 2004 relates to civil protection and contingency (emergency) planning.
- For more information about Property Flood Resilience, please visit the Environment Agency website or click here
- For real-time updates, you can visit the UK Government’s flood warning service or by clicking here
- You can also sign up for flood warnings through the Government’s website. This free service will alert you by phone, text message or email if your home or business is at risk of flooding. If you’d like to sign up for this service, click here.
Stay out of floodwater
- Avoid walking or driving through flood water.
- Be aware that flooding can cause manhole covers to come off.
- Keep children and vulnerable people out of floodwater.
- Don’t walk on sea defences or riverbanks.
- Take care or avoid crossing bridges when water levels are high.
- Take care crossing culverts as they are dangerous when flooded.
- Look out for other hazards such as fallen power lines and trees.
- Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch floodwater as it may be contaminated.
Take action in an emergency
- Call 999 if you are in danger, or people have been injured.
- Check in on vulnerable neighbours.
- Move people and pets upstairs or to a higher place with means of escape.
- Remain calm.
Evacuate when told
- Follow the advice of emergency services if they tell you to evacuate – they will take you to a centre run by the local council and give you food and bedding.
- Bring clothing, medication, and baby care items.
- Bring pets in a secure carrier and pet food.
- Tell someone if you intend to stay with friends or relatives instead of the evacuation centre.
Pumping out water
- Ask your local Fire and Rescue Service about pumping out floodwater. There may be a charge for the service.
Are You prepared?
There are a number of actions you can take right now to keep yourself, your home, your family and your business safe in the event of an emergency.
Visit the Dorset Local Resilience Forum for more information.
Home Emergency Action Plan Booklet
Click here to download the booklet, which has been put together by the Dorset LRF to give you some basic information on how you can help yourself and your family in emergencies.
Warning & Information
You can sign up with the Environment Agency and Met Office to receive free alerts and information on flood risk and weather warnings.
- Sign up to The Flood Warning Service (FWS): https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings
- Met Office weather warnings email alerts from www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails
If you or someone you know is vulnerable then you are able to sign up with your utility providers to be put onto their priority list which will trigger additional support services from the utility company in an emergency or prolonged outage.
- Electricity – SSE Priority Service Register 0800 294 329.
- Water – Wessex Water Customer Care Plus’ Register 0345 600 3 600.