Flooding advice
Be prepared
For advice on what to do before a flood visit GOV.UK. If your property could be at risk of flooding in the future, please consider:
- what you might want to save in a flood. Think about moving items of personal value, such as photo albums, to a safe place.
- how to turn off your gas, electricity and water.
- making sure that you have supplies of bottled water, medicines, food and baby care items in the house.
- keeping copies of all insurance documents in a safe, waterproof place.
Sandbags
We keep a stock of sandbags but these are limited in number. We use them to help protect key areas identified by the emergency services or as a barrier to divert water away. We will always help wherever we can but we don't have a duty to provide to communities, individual homes or businesses.
You are responsible for your own flood protection equipment. If you think sandbags will be useful for your home you can buy them from builders merchants.
Purchasing Sandbags
You may wish to keep your own sandbags at home in case of flooding in the future. We don't sell sandbags but you can purchase them from:
| Website | Address | Telephone number | Opening times |
|---|---|---|---|
| B&Q |
Barker Road, Maidstone, ME16 8DW | 01622 672488 |
Monday to Saturday from 7am - 8pm Sunday from 10am - 4pm |
| Jewson |
Buckland Hill, Maidstone, ME16 0SQ | 01622 761178 |
Monday to Friday from 7am - 5pm Saturday from 8am - 12pm |
| Travis Perkins |
Forstal Road, Aylesford, ME20 7AG | 01622 710111 |
Monday to Friday from 6.30am - 5pm Saturday from 8am - 12pm |
| Travis Perkins |
Bircholt Road, Park Wood Trading Estate, Park Wood, Maidstone, ME15 9XY | 01622 688809 |
Monday to Friday from 7am - 5pm Saturday from 8am - 12pm |
After a flood
For information about clearing up and drying out properties after a flood please see the How to clean up your home safely guide on the GOV.UK website.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers can be hired from:
| Website | Telephone number |
|---|---|
| Acorn Hire | 01580 891234 |
| Best at Hire | 0344 288 8088 |
| Brandon Hire Station | 0345 604 5337 |
| Calor Centre (offer portable heating solutions) | 0800 662 663 |
| Carrier Rental Systems | 0870 397 6590 |
| Chillmech Limited | 01892 838669 |
| HSS Hire | 01622 616305 |
| Ideal Group | 0808 239 4314 |
| Speedy Services | 01622 791001 |
Drying out your property
Dehumidifiers are the standard method to dry a house after a flood. They combat condensation, mould and rot.
Home repairs
Home repairs
Following bad weather beware of rogue traders who may seek to exploit you.
Residents are encouraged to look out for vulnerable neighbours and ensure they do not fall prey to a minority of people who could take advantage of others for commercial gain.
If you do need to have repair work undertaken, Kent Police advises using traders who been recommended by family, friends or someone from schemes intended to improve business standards and provide increased consumer confidence, for example Kent County Council's Trading Standards approved trader scheme.
Don’t deal with doorstep callers offering work on your home or garden. You can report any suspicious people or callers to Citizens Advice on 0345 404 0506.
Power cuts
Power cuts
The UK Power Networks website provides the latest information about power cuts or you can also follow them on Twitter @UKPowerNetworks. You can also use the UK Power Networks live power map to search for and view any power cuts in your area.
Report it
To report a power cut or damaged power lines call 0800 783 8866
Priority service register
UK Power Networks have a service for those that might need extra assistance during a power cut. For example people that rely on medical equipment or have babies. For more information or to register for the service visit UK Power Networks priority service register website.
Roads
Advice
Emergencies
Report any potential emergency situations, like fallen trees, potholes on fast stretches of road and any other damage to Kent highway services by calling 0300 041 8181.
Driving
Please be aware of icy surfaces when out driving especially in the early morning. Don't drive through flood water, 30cm of flowing water can move a family car.
A 'road closed' or 'road flooded' sign means that the road isn't safe. You should either use an alternative route or wait until those roads have been given the all clear. Flooded roads without signs are still unsafe and could have been damaged by the flood water. For more information or how to report an issue visit the Kent highways winter service website.