Severn Trent issued storm and flooding advice to customers on 22 November 2024, as Storm Bert was expected to hit the Midlands over the weekend1. The water company set out which organisation households should contact for different kinds of flooding, and steps that can reduce rainwater flowing into drains1.
The company said flooding on roads, blocked drains or grates on highways, groundwater surface flooding, and flooding in streams, brooks and small rivers should be reported to the local council1. For flooding from rising river levels it directed people to the Environment Agency, whose Flood line number it gave as 0345 988 11881. Flooding from the public sewer should be reported to Severn Trent, and the company said that where flooding is due to heavy rain it may need to wait for the flood water to subside before it can investigate; it also advised contacting your insurer for help and advice1.
Severn Trent said surface water on the streets can result from blocked roadside drains, ground saturation, or rain overwhelming the capacity of the sewers1. It said rainwater flooding should subside on its own once the weather clears and it stops raining1. On preparing before rain arrives, it listed emptying water butts in the garden to reduce rainwater flow into drains, checking that home and garden drains are free-flowing and clearing leaves or other waste, and clearing leaves or debris from roadside drains where possible, or contacting the local council if they are blocked1.
The company also linked sewer blockages to what is flushed and poured away, naming tampons, wet wipes, sanitary products and nappies flushed down the toilet, and fats, oils and grease from the kitchen1. It said only the three Ps, pee, poo and paper, should be flushed down the loo, that sauces, gravy and food scraps should be scraped into the bin rather than rinsed down the sink, and that cooking oil can be poured into a bottle and thrown away1.
"Knowing who to contact first time can save a lot of worry and help to make sure that the right calls are able to get through."
Why it matters for households
The advice applies to households in the Midlands, where Storm Bert was expected over the weekend of 22 November 20241. It sets out which body handles which type of flooding, so that calls reach the right organisation: the local council for roads, groundwater, streams and small rivers; the Environment Agency for river flooding; Severn Trent for sewer flooding from public drains or manholes1. Severn Trent said people might naturally think of contacting it first, but that another agency may be the right one to speak to1. Its preparation steps concern water butts, home and garden drains and roadside drains, and its sewer advice concerns what is flushed or poured away1. Further detail on these subjects is set out in the guide to who to report flooding to, the guide to types of flooding and the guide on what to do during a flood at home.
What happens next
Severn Trent said that if flooding is due to heavy rain, it may need to wait for the flood water to subside before it can investigate, and that where sewer flooding from a public drain or manhole is reported it will send someone out as soon as possible1. No further dates were given1.
Who to Report Flooding To
During a Flood at Home
