Surface Water Flooding

Surface water flooding happens when rainwater does not drain away sufficiently through the normal drainage systems or soak into the ground, but lies on or flows over the ground instead.

The Council itself has a limited role regarding surface water flooding, Essex County Council is the designated Local Flood Authority for Essex with the duty to investigate, reduce and mitigate surface water flooding.

Canvey Island

The Council is aware that there have been drainage issues on Canvey Island and are continually working with partner agencies to ensure drainage is maintained.

There is no specific evacuation plan for Canvey Island, as any evacuation would need to be managed dynamically with Essex Police during an incident and priorities for evacuation would vary relative to the areas of water accumulation.

There are single storey premises on Canvey, their evacuation will undertaken subject to the incident, the risk to life, meteorological office and Environment Agency guidance.

All new building applications on Canvey Island must be approved by the Environment Agency, who may require a first floor level to enable vertical evacuation should the need arise.

Being Prepared for Flooding

Due to the nature and origin of flooding within the Castle Point area i.e. thunderstorms/downpours, it is recommended that residents are aware of how to receive severe weather and flood warnings, as well as knowing how to prepare for potential flooding.

The Met Office provides free Severe Weather Warning updates (i.e. rain, snow, wind etc.).

You can receive these through the free Met Office App or by visiting their website .

The Environment Agency provides free flood alerts and warnings however, these only cover river and coastal flooding, NOT surface water flooding.

You can sign up to receive free flood alerts for your local area here or by calling 0345 988 1188 .

You can also receive all of these alerts and warnings through the free British Red Cross Emergency App which you can download from here .

If you live in a potential or designated flood risk area, we strongly recommend that you, your family, and your property are prepared for flooding.

The National Flood Forum provides free information on how to be prepared for flooding.

Blue Pages offers free independent property protection advice.

Reporting Flooding

If your life or someone else’s is in danger during a flooding incident always dial 999!

If there is no life risk then you can report flooding incidents from the following site:

• Report Flooding

Essex County Council’s Flood Grant

ECC are providing Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grants of up to £8,000 per property which includes items such as air brick covers, barriers and waterproof doors, to any property which:

• Has been identified to be at risk by the EA or
• Within Essex that has been historically flooded or
• Is located within an EEC’s identified Critical Drainage Areas (CDAs).

Information can be found using the following links:

• flood.essex.gov.uk/get-a-flood-grant
• flood.essex.gov.uk/know-your-flood-risk/check-if-you-re-at-risk-of-flooding