Storm Ciaran set to hit the UK this week

Heavy rain and very strong and potentially damaging winds associated with Storm Ciaran are likely to bring disruption to parts of southern Britain on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Met Office have issued a Yellow Warning for wind and rain. The winds and rain could result in:

• Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible
• Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
• Fast-flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life 
• There is a slight chance that flying debris will result in a danger to life 

Redbridge Council is responsible for maintaining the highways in the borough. The Strategic Road Network, including the A12 and A406, is managed by TfL.

In preparation for Storm Ciaran, our Highways Team and council contractors are monitoring the situation carefully. We will also inspect highway drainage infrastructure, including drains, kerbs, road gullies, ditches and pipes, to ensure that surface water runoff is well managed.

Redbridge’s highway drainage responsibilities include gullies and pipework to the point it connects to the public sewer network, where it becomes the responsibility of Thames Water.

How to prepare:

Please follow these simple steps to help prepare you in advance for potential flooding.

 Who to contact:

• During a flooding event, if you are vulnerable or feel that lives are at risk, contact the emergency services on 999 for immediate assistance and rescue.
• If the issue is urgent but not life-threatening, contact the Redbridge Council Customer Service Centre on 0208 554 5000.
• If you see flooding because of an overflowing sewer, contact Thames Water on 0800 316 9800.
• If you notice water coming up through the road surface or flooding when it isn’t raining, it is most likely a burst water main. Depending on who your water supplier is, contact Thames Water on 0800 316 9800 or Essex and Suffolk Water on 0800 526 337. 
• For any signs of river flooding, please get in touch with the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60.
• Please report any gullies that are blocked or road surface water flooding.

For further information, please visit our Flooding page.