Flood defence responsibilities

How does flood defence operate in England?
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has policy responsibility for flood and coastal defence in England.
The operational responsibility for delivering the service falls to the ‘operating authorities’. These are:

• Environment Agency

• Local authorities

• Internal drainage boards.

From these the Environment Agency has a general duty over all matters relating to flood defence and are also responsible for flood forecasting and warning arrangements.

We work with the Environment Agency and other authorities to inspect flood defences, main rivers and other watercourses and make a report to DEFRA about flood risk.

Who is responsible for responding to an emergency?
In an emergency it is mainly down to us, the other councils and the emergency services to respond. 

Where flooding is particularly severe the army may be called in to help.

Along with the other councils we will co-ordinate evacuation, provide emergency accom-modation and other services.

We also hold a supply of sandbags for emergency use. To find out each councils policy on distributing sandbags and how to obtain them visit the sandbag policy page. You may also like to read our guide to using sandbags.

The Environment Agency are responsible for securing flood defences and operating barriers and sluices where necessary. 

They will also try to help with the emergency response, perhaps by providing spare sandbags that are not needed for their own defences.

How are you warned about flooding?
The Environment Agency aims to issue flood warnings two hours before flooding starts. These warnings take place through a variety of means, including:

• Automatic telephone message system

• Loudhailer system

• Volunteer flood wardens

• Sirens.

You can also get real-time flood warnings and advice from their Floodline on 0845 988 1188. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.