Flooding
Flooding is an increasing problem across the UK therefore, it is important that as a town we stay aware of risks, flooding events and spread awareness on how to prepare for these events. Flooding is a natural, essential ecological process caused by heavy rain, rapid snowmelt, storm surges, and overflowing rivers. These events replenish groundwater, transport nutrients, and create habitats, though they can become hazardous disasters when they interact with human development, infrastructure, or extreme weather.
Be aware of when flooding is expected
To check whether your property or business is at risk of flooding from river or surface water visit the Environment Agency website. Click here for more information.
If your property is at risk of flooding, it is advised that you sign-up to the Environment Agency’s free flood warning service so you can take steps to secure your property if heavy rain or river flooding is expected. Click here for more information.
Know Your Flood Warning Codes
There are four codes used for flood warnings. They can be issued in any order, usually ending with an ‘all clear’ code. Click here for more information.
Report Flooding
If you experience internal flooding to your property or a ‘high speed’ road has been flooded, please report details to Wiltshire Council via MyWilts online reporting or 0300 4560105. As Wiltshire Council are the lead local authority for flooding, they should be contacted in the first instance.
Internal property flooding should also be reported to Warminster Town Council by completing this form. This will enable the town council to gain an overview of the impact of the flooding.
If you can not use the app to report flooding, please contact us = Contact the Civic Centre – Warminster Town Council
Create a Personal Flood Plan
If you live in a flood risk area, do what you can now to prepare for a flood. Don’t wait until it happens; you may not have time. Click here for more information.
Important Contact Details
| Organisation | Telephone | Website/Email | Remit |
| Wiltshire Council | 0300 456 0100 | report via MyWilts online or app drainage@wiltshire.gov.uk | Report blocked drainage. Responsible for managing the risk of flooding from surface water, groundwater, and ordinary watercourses and lead on community recovery |
| Incident Hotline – Environment Agency | 0800 80 70 60 | www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk | Report current flooding |
| National Highways | 0300 123 5000 | www.nationalhighways.co.uk | 24-hour emergency incident reporting.Responsible for maintaining and managing the local highway network, including the A36 Warminster by-pass. The balancing ponds near Deverill Road and Grovelands |
| Emergency Services -Police/ Fire & Rescue/Ambulance Service | 999 | Request assistance of emergency service | |
| Wessex Water | 0345 600 4 600 | www.wessexwater.co.uk | Water and sewerage companies are responsible for managing the risks of flooding from piped water and foul or combined sewer systems providing drainage from buildings and yards. |
| National Power Cut Helpline SSE Network (electricity) | 105 | Electrical faults and emergency services centre | |
| Wales and West Utilities (gas) | 0800 912 29 99 general enquiries 0800 111 999 emergency 24 hours gas escape | enquiries@wwutilities.co.uk | Gas queries and emergency reporting |
| Floodline – Environment Agency (Mon to Fri 8am-6pm) | 0345 988 1188 | www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk | Responsible for taking a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and are responsible for managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, reservoirs, estuaries, and the sea. |
| Warminster Town Council | 01985 214847 | admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk | Ensures that all flood reports are going to the correct avenue streams. Recruits and oversees the co-ordination of the town’s flood wardens. The town council holds a limited supply of ‘gel sacks’ (like sandbags) which can be distributed on a ‘needs’ basis to properties at imminent risk of flooding. |
Property Owner Responsibilities:
Property owners are responsible for looking after their own property, including the risks of water entering it and of causing damage.
The drainage pipes located beneath a property, garden or driveway belong to the property owner and are therefore the owner’s responsibility. Drainage pipes cease being the property owner’s responsibility once they reach outside of the property boundary and/or connect to pipes serving another property.
People who own land or property next to a river, stream, or ditch are considered a “riparian” owner and as such have rights and responsibilities for the watercourse. Further information can be downloaded from the Environment Agency guidance: www.gov.uk/guidance/owning-a-watercourse
Insurance information for properties at risk of flooding Download
Resilience Plan:
Warminster Town Council (WTC) adopted a community Resilience Plan in December 2023 with the purpose of providing a local co-ordinated response to support statutory authorities and the emergency services to a variety of emergency situations. The plan will be reviewed annually.
The plan will be activated when an emergency has occurred or if warnings are received prior to an anticipated event. It will also be activated when emergency services need support or are not able to attend immediately e.g., in severe weather.
