Where to Report a Flood
Our Flood Guide outlines who is responsible for different kinds of flooding and how to report it.
⬇ Click on the image below ⬇
Depending on the source of flooding, or where the water is coming from, you need to report it to a different agency
Flooding from the road
In the event of heavy rainfall, highway drains and gullies can overflow, and may flood your property. If your property has been flooded due to water coming from a road or highway, report it to Essex Highways in the first instance.
Flooding from main rivers
The Environment Agency is responsible for managing flood risk from coasts and main rivers. Don't know if your river is a main river? Check the Main River Map. For flooding from main rivers please report it to one of the following numbers:
- Environment Agency Floodline 24hr 08459 881188
- Environment Agency General Enquiry Line 03708 506 506
- Environment Agency Incident Hotline 24hr 0800 80 70 60
Flooding from sewers or pipes
For flooding from sewers, please report this to the relevant water company.
Anglian Water covers most of the county. Report sewer flooding on the Anglian Water Report it Tool or call on 03457 145 145
Thames Water covers Epping Forest, Harlow and some parts of Uttlesford. Report sewer flooding to Thames Water. Report sewer flooding online on the Thames Water Report A Problem webpage or call 0800 714 614.
Water companies will help, where possible, to also treat areas where sewage has been deposited once the flooding has subsided here.
Other flood incidences
For flooding from small rivers, ditches or watercourses, it is the responsibility of the private land owner to ensure the channel remains unobstructed. Further information about riparian responsibility is found here.
If the ground is saturated and surrounding ditches at full capacity, excess surface water flooding may flood private property. If your property has been flooded due to surface water, report online via the Floods Team Online Form
Protect your home from flooding
Regardless of the source of flooding, if you have been flooded and/or live in a Critical Drainage Area, you are eligible to apply for a Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant to protect your property against flooding. Click here to express interest in a PFR grant.