To find out how to prepare in the event of severe weather events, the websites below provide useful advice and guidance.
Be weather ready
The Met Office 'Weather Ready' campaign provides seasonal tips and advice on how to deal with the weather, focusing on key areas such as protecting property from flooding and travelling in storms, rain and strong wind.
Severe weather warnings
Stay informed about the weather forecast. Severe weather warnings are provided by the Met Office. Sign up for Met Office Email Alerts and download the Met Office weather app.
Information on the health impacts from severe weather, such as extreme heat, extreme cold or flooding, is available on our Health Emergencies page.
Severe storms and flooding
Severe storms can produce high winds, torrential rain, hailstones, lightning and flash floods. They can cause structural damage, flooding to properties and power cuts.
Flash flooding is due to drainage systems being unable to cope with heavy rain falling in a short period of time onto the ground or into a river or stream, for example water pooling very quickly in an underpass. It is a very dangerous type of flooding and can create deep, fast-moving water that can injure or kill people and damage buildings.
Flash flooding is very dangerous. Do not walk or drive through the water. Move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building if it is safe. Call 999 if you need emergency help.
Flooding caused by lots of rain collecting on the ground is also called surface water flooding.
Groundwater flooding can occur when the water table rises and reaches the surface. Flooding from groundwater may occur days or weeks after heavy or prolonged rainfall. Homeowners and businesses are responsible for protecting their properties.
Further information is available below:
- Flash flooding - The dangers of flash flooding and how to stay safe
- Groundwater flooding - How it might affect you and what to do
- Stay safe in thunder and lightning
- Stay safe in a storm
- Protecting property from flooding
Flood warnings
Kimpton flood alert
We would like to reassure residents that we are working with Kimpton Parish Council, Herts County Council, the Environment Agency, Herts Fire & Rescue, Herts Police and Thames Water to closely monitor groundwater levels, share information and ensure a coordinated and timely response to you regarding any future developments and will provide you with further information in due course.
- GOV.UK: Flood alert for groundwater flooding in Kimpton and Lilley Bottom - the Environment Agency are updating the flood alert for Kimpton on a weekly basis
- Project Groundwater press release
Sign up for flood warnings, view flood warnings in force and get guidance on what to do before, during and after a flood on the GOV.UK Flood Information Service site.
Check your long term flood risk from rivers, surface water, reservoirs and groundwater.
Groundwater levels and alerts for areas where the groundwater levels are monitored are available from the Environment Agency.
Further information:
- GOV.UK: What to do in flood
- GOV.UK: Check for flooding service
- GOV.UK: Find river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels
Reporting flooding
To report a flooded road or footway or property damaged by flooding visit the Hertfordshire County Council 'What type of flooding or drainage fault is it' page.
Gullies and drains on public highways are usually the responsibility of Hertfordshire County Council.
Further information:
- Fault reporting - Flooding and drainage
- Drains and sewers
- Highways, roads and pavements in Hertfordshire
Power cuts
To report any power cuts and damaged overhead cables or lines please use the freephone number 105. Updates can be found on twitter @ukpowernetworks. Please treat electricity cables as live, stay away and call UK Power Networks immediately. If you see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public please call 999.
To search, track, and report power cuts visit the UK Power Networks website.
Priority Services Register
If you will need extra support during a power cut, visit the UK Power Networks website for information on their Priority Services Register.
The Priority Services Register is a free support service to help people in vulnerable situations including providing support in an emergency. Energy suppliers and network operators offer it. Each keeps their own register. For more information visit: