Flooding
Please note: Haringey is not currently considered to be an area at high risk of flooding, however if you do have concerns you can find out more below.
- Step 1 - Early Warnings
- Flood Advice
- Sandbag Policy
- Flooded Drains and Gullies
- Flood plans and risk assessments
Flooding can be caused by a number of different factors. You can find out if you live in a flood risk area by visiting the GOV.UK Flood map (external link) and entering your post code. Even if your home is not located in a flood risk area it is important to take steps to be prepared because flooding can potentially occur in any location.
Step 1 - Early Warnings
Be aware of the situation. In addition to watching the news and listening to radio updates, to stay informed you could:
- Sign up for Flood warnings - GOV.UK (external link) which provides warnings of flood risk
- Visit the Live Flood Warning Map (external link) which shows the locations where flood alerts, flood warnings or severe flood warning are in force
- Visit the Met Office website (external link) for weather forecasts;
- Contact the Environment Agency 24-hour Extended Flood line on 0345 988 1188 for up-to-date information about flooding in your area
There are three types of warning: Flood Alert, Flood Warning and Severe Flood Warning:
| Warning | Description |
|---|---|
 | A Flood Alert will be used to warn people of the possibility of flooding and encourage them to be alert, stay vigilant and make early preparations for flooding. This will replace the previously issued Flood Watches and will have a new definition, icon and accompanying advice. A Flood Alert will be issued earlier than a Flood Warning, to give people advance notice that flooding is possible. |
 | A Flood Warning will be used to warn people of expected flooding and encourage them to take action to protect themselves and their property. |
 | A Severe Flood Warning will be used when there is a significant risk to life, or significant disruption to communities, to encourage people to take action to protect themselves and follow the advice of the emergency services. |
To check if you are at risk from flooding, or to register for the free Floodline Warnings Direct service, please call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or visit the Environment Agency website (external link). You can also request or download a personal flood plan template, find general advice and information about flooding.
Multi-Agency Flood Plan (MAFP)
Due to the extent of the flooding risk in Haringey it is important to have a Multi-Agency Flood Plan (PDF, 5MB) to ensure a coordinated response to a flood event within the London Borough of Haringey. This plan has been written in accordance with national guidance and only contains actions related to flood events. This Multi Agency Flood Plan covers the response to flood risks; it does not cover a response to burst water mains or foul sewage floods, although these are noted as a potential risk.
Flood Advice
Going outside
Flood water can be dangerous, so avoid driving and walking through it where possible - especially if it is flowing water or if you can’t see how deep it is. Be aware that manhole covers can be lifted by flood water, so only travel through flood water as a last resort. Keep children and vulnerable people away from the flood water and wash your hands if you come into contact with it.
Floods and your home
The Environment Agency has some practical flooding advice to help you ensure the safety of your home and family, focusing on the before, during and after stages of flooding - Gov.uk (external link).
For advice on what to do if your home is affected by flooding see the Floods and your Home page.
Businesses
If you own a business and would like advice on how to prepare for flooding, the Environment Agency provides further information on how to do so. This includes how to find out if your business is at risk, a template to aid the design of a flood plan for your company and information on their flood warning service. If this is relevant to you, please visit the Preparing your business for flooding - GOV.UK website (external link).
Sandbag Policy
Haringey Council has a limited supply of sandbags to be used as necessary, with priority given to measures that will protect the public as a whole – such as using sandbags to help redirect water flow to protect the maximum possible number of properties.
Decisions on distribution of sandbags will be based on how effective the use of sandbags will be in the circumstances, along with the availability of resources to deploy them.
Residents and business owners are advised to take steps to protect individual properties where they feel necessary, including considering buying their own sandbags.
Flooded Drains and Gullies
Drainage systems are designed to provide the efficient removal of water from the surface of the highway to provide a safe passage for pedestrians and vehicles.
Problems can occur even when drainage provisions are clean and well maintained. Flooded and waterlogged roads result when the amount of water arriving on the road is greater than the capacity of the drainage facilities that take it away.
What do I do if I notice a problem?
The following pages give more guidance on what to do in the case of different types of flooding:
- Flooding from Public Sewers
- Flooding from Private Sewers or Drains
- Flooding from the Public Highway
- Flooding from a Burst Water Main
- Flooding from Water Service Pipe or Internal Pipework
- Flooding from Main River
- Flooding from Watercourses, other than Main Rivers
Flood plans and risk assessments
Multi-Agency Flood Plan (MAFP)
Due to the extent of the flooding risk in Haringey it is important to have a Multi-Agency Flood Plan (PDF, 5MB) to ensure a coordinated response to a flood event within the London Borough of Haringey. This plan has been written in accordance with national guidance and only contains actions related to flood events. This Multi Agency Flood Plan covers the response to flood risks; it does not cover a response to burst water mains or foul sewage floods, although these are noted as a potential risk.
Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) 2011
The SWMP outlines the preferred surface water management strategy for Haringey. Surface water flooding describes flooding from sewers, drains, groundwater, and runoff from land, small watercourses and ditches that occurs as a result of heavy rainfall.
Download the Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) plan and maps - please note that these are very large files:
- Haringey Surface Water Management Plan 2011 (PDF, 5MB)
- Haringey Surface Water Management Plan - Appendix A - Data Review (PDF, 155KB)
- Haringey Surface Water Management Plan - Appendix B - Asset Register Review (PDF, 50KB)
- Haringey Surface Water Management Plan - Appendix C 1 - Surface Water Modelling (PDF, 2MB)
- Haringey Surface Water Management Plan - Appendix C 2 - Ground Water (PDF, 50KB)
- Haringey Surface Water Management Plan - Appendix D 1 - Critical Drainage Area Maps (coming soon)
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)
Level 1:
The SFRA Level 1 or Strategic Flood Risk Assessment requires each Local Planning Authority to consider flood risk and flood risk management.
Key to this risk based approach is the production of a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) to consider catchment wide flood risk issues. You can read it here:
Level 2:
Haringey Council requires a Level 2 SFRA to contribute to the evidence base for the borough's Local Development Documents (LDDs) in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).