Residents, in the midst of one of the wettest winters for a long time we face another heavy downpour and the land and drainage system is already saturated and at capacity.

It is important that you take your own preventative precautions to protect your property, covering airbricks, house drains creating barriers at susceptible doorways, raising perishable items from floor level and consider moving valuables upstairs etc. Sandbags are pretty poor and authorities no longer issue them, they advise instead that you consider buying modern solutions that are relatively cheap, easier to deploy in a hurry and easy to recovery and dispose of afterwards, for eg https://www.homestratosphere.com/alternatives-sandbags-flooding/

You might also consider ensuring you have adequate supplies of food, prescriptions and bottled water should you be cut off for a couple of days. We are not suggesting hoarding or adopting a Cold War shelter mentality nor seeking to over react but a few simple precautions and proactive measures could save much heartache.

Land owners also have responsibilities known as Riparian Rights, this often comes a surprise to landowners and keeping drains and pipes clear of debris and silt to ensure that water can flow freely is key to being a good neighbour.

Whilst Shouldham sits outside of the major flood risk areas in the region there is a real risk of surface water flooding in low lying areas of the village. Contrary to a lot of peoples belief there is no real immediate help at hand and the authorities will be prioritising situations where there is risk to life, followed by flooding of properties. Roads, ditches and gardens will not be attended to but nevertheless reporting remains crucial to ensure they are tended to when the situation permits and to build a picture to provide the Parish Council with information to base any future plans for local initiatives that may be required or to escalate to higher authorities. Climate Change or just a weather cycle, the situation doesn’t look like getting better any time soon.

So please report to the appropriate agencies, registering to receive updates and a registration number, which you can forward to the Clerk to collate and follow up.

Reporting:

Surface Flooding of property	Norfolk County Council	https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/safety/floods/report-a-flood
Blocked Road Gullies and surface flooding	Norfolk County Council	0344 800 8020 https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roads/report-a-problem
Sewage Problems	Anglian Water	08457 145145
Help with a Flooded Property	Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service	999 if an emergency*
Help with Evacuation	Police	101 or 999 if an emergency*
Pollution	Environment Agency	0800 807060
Checking Electricity Supply	UK Network Power	105
Suspect Gas supplies	National Grid	0800 111999
Checking suspect water supplies	Anglian Water	03457 145145
Clearing Up Assistance	Borough Council	01553 616200 or 616601 out of hours #

* During the COVID-19 pandemic the emergency services are being utilised to assist the NHS and due to the restrictions will only respond if there is a risk to life.

#The Borough Council have many staff diverted to assisting the NHS for COVID-19 in non-clinical roles and track and trace and so are unable to respond as quickly as they might ordinarily.