Frequently Asked Questions

 

Where can we get hold of sandbags?

Information on where you can buy sandbags from is contained in the Mid Beds Flooding Guide (latest version November 2006).

Up to 20 empty sandbags per household are avaliable from reception at the District Council offices during office hours - 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 4pm on Fridays.

Citizone PoPs (Points of Presence) in Woburn Street, Ampthill and Saffron Road, Biggleswade (08452 30 40 40)

In addition sandbags are avaliable from the following Town and Parish councils:

• Ampthill (01525 404355)
• Blunham (01234 743598)
• Biggleswade (01767 313134)
• Clophill (01908 584159)
• Flitwick (01525 631900)
• Harlington (01525 875933)
• Marston Moretaine (01234 743598)
• Maulden (01525 404617)
• Northill (01767 226292)
• Sandy (01767 681491)
• Shefford (01462 816321)
• Southill (01234 757676)
• Tempsford (01767 640823)
• Wrestingworth & Cockayne Hatley (01767 631302)

Where can we get hold of sand?

Information on where you can buy sand is contained in the Mid Beds Flooding Guide (latest version November 2006), or from any other hardware or DIY store. You may also wish to consult your phone book or Yell.com for builders merchants.

The water is lapping at my door! What should I do?

Report the Flooding

If you see any flooding that has the potential to threaten life or property please report it to the Environment Agency on 0845 988 1188.
If you see a road that is flooded that could cause an accident please report it to Bedfordshire  Police on 01234 841212.
If you see any flooding in the Mid Beds DC area, please report it to our contact centre on 08452 304040, or out of hours 0800 212462.

Keeping water out

You can reduce the amount of water entering your property by using sandbags, plywood or metal sheeting placed on the outside of doors, window frames and airbricks. Even if you cannot  create a complete seal, this will reduce the amount of flood water entering.  Remember that flood water can also enter through drains, toilets and other outlets such as washing machines.

Furniture

Move as much furniture and electrical items as you can upstairs. If you have time, roll up carpets and rugs and put them upstairs (or in a safe place).  Empty furniture that cannot be moved and carry the contents upstairs. See if you can raise the item above floor level using bricks and blocks.  Move furniture away from walls as this helps with drying the property later.  If there is no time to remove curtains, hang them up over the curtain rod so they are kept above the floodwater.  Always store sentimental items upstairs or high up and make sure personal documents, insurance and bank details and essential contact telephone numbers are kept in a safe place.

Gas & Electric

Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains. Find out now if you don’t know where they are.  Cookers, washing machines dishwashers etc. connected by rigid pipes to gas and water supplies should be disconnected. This will prevent damage to the pipes if they move or float during the flood.  Unplug all electrical items and store upstairs or as high as possible.

After flooding do not reconnect gas, electricity or water services until systems are checked by an accredited engineer.
Dry out appliances affected by floodwater and get a qualified electrician, CORGI registered gas engineer or plumber to inspect before use

Is there any health advice related to flood water?

The Health Protection Agency have provisional guidelines specifically related to the health implications of flooding. Click here for more information.

I live near the river, is my house in danger?

Flood maps are issued by the Environment Agency, a government body. The maps are availiable on the Environment Agency website and come with various information sources about the maps and related flood-risk subjects, including flood warning. They are updated quarterly when better information becomes availiable.

Environmental Agency website.

Is the river level going to get any higher?

Call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit their website. They will be able to provide an indication. Watch the weather news for further wet weather, listen to information on local radio and television and look up the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum website which posts local information during, before and after all types of emergencies.

Will the Fire Service charge me if I call them out?

Owners of domestic properties flooded as a result of inclement weather will not normally be charged for the services of the Fire and Rescue Service. For information on this service contact The Fire and Rescue Service on 01234 351081.

Effluent is overflowing from my drain, who should I contact?

Anglian Water own and manage a network of public storm and foul water sewers and water and rising mains within the Mid Beds District. The majority of public sewers are located within the Highway and a copy of Anglian Water’s sewer maps are available for public inspection at our Priory House offices.

Anglian Water will investigate instances of flooding originating from their apparatus. They can also arrange for water to be tested to determine if it is mains water.

All emergency calls should be directed to the Anglian Water’s contact centre on 0800 145145.

In some instances flooding may occur due to defects or blockages in a private sewer or drain rather than a public sewer. Should this be the case then the owners or occupiers of those properties upstream of the defect or blockage would be responsible.

Look up the Anglian Water website.

How do I use sandbags?

• If you do not have sand bags you can use pillow cases or refuse sacks.
• If you do not have sand you can use garden soil.
• Do not fill bags more than half full. It is not necessary to tie the end of the bag.
• Remove any debris from the area where the bags are to be placed.
• Place the half filled bags lengthways and parallel to the direction of water flow.
• Place bags in layers. Like a brick wall, make sure that in the next layer each bag overlaps the below by half.
• Stamp bags firmly into place to eliminate gaps and create a tight seal.