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Flood Warden Newsletter – July 2025 |
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Welcome to Summer 2025 Flood Warden Newsletter The recent period of warmer weather, with the Met Office issuing Amber heat warnings and very little rain in the forecast, feels a world away from the last few years, where we saw the wettest 18 or 24 months on record for some areas.
However, experience tells us not to rest on our laurels. This weekend’s devastating news of the floods in Texas is a reminder of the magnitude and impact that flooding can bring. Summer flooding can happen quickly and in very intense, localised areas. While we don’t have the same climate or topography as Texas, we can still be badly affected by serious summer storms. Historic events such as the Boscastle, Lynmouth and Chew Valley floods all occurred in the summer. In 2012, heavy rainfall and surface water flooding challenged the Olympic torch procession and affected communities across the West of Dorset. In 2023, the Cam Valley saw an overwhelming amount of rainfall in a very short period of time, with the river rising two and half meters in a matter of hours.
One of the reasons the Texas floods were so deadly is because of the area’s popularity as a tourist destination, known for camps and outdoor activities. The floods occurred on a major holiday weekend, with summer camps and motorhome parks busy with visitors. Elsewhere in this newsletter we ask you to think about vulnerable people and visitors in your own area, and reflect on what you can do to spread awareness of flood risk with holiday makers.
Flash flooding often comes without advance warning, so as a flood warden we encourage you to understand the triggers and know what to do should flash flooding occur. You can find out more here:Flash flooding – GOV.UK.
This drier period gives us a chance to take stock and reset, perhaps reviewing our personal and community flood plans and flood warden action cards; encouraging residents to take time to maintain property flood resilience; or even doing our little bit to slow water down (i.e installing water butts or a rain garden) before it reaches the drains and river catchments. See more here: https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-features/rain-gardens.
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In this Issue
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| Summer Hazards | ||||||||||
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Dry Weather & Drought
England has had the driest spring in 132 years, with some areas in the North moving into drought status. This change in categorisation reflects the impact prolonged dry weather is having on the environment and water resources. Wessex has not moved into drought status at this time, but the dry weather is certainly having an impact, with river levels low and the ground very dry.
When temperatures rise during summer, fish disease is more prevalent. Water and dissolved oxygen tend to be less available, which can lead to fish in distress. When it does rain – which may be torrential downpours following a dry period – this may not provide immediate relief. When atmospheric pressure drops, the ability of water to hold dissolved oxygen reduces. Combined with potential pollution from sewage storm overflows, accumulated dirty run-off from roads and decaying algae, fish can be badly impacted.
When we respond to an environmental incident involving distressed fish, our duty staff might use a variety of methods to try and prevent a fish kill from occurring. This could involve mechanical and chemical aeration to re-oxygenate the water, diverting fresh water into a polluted reach, or removing fish from stricken waters and relocating them elsewhere. If the incident has been caused by pollution or another environmental offence and an offender can be identified, we will follow this up with enforcement action and may prosecute.
Reporting these incidents is crucial; if you see any dead fish in the water, fish that look like they’re gasping at the surface or fish that are exhibiting what looks like unusual behaviour, or even if their skin has a strange appearance, then please ring the 24 hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60. What do we mean by “Fish in distress”? – Creating a better place
Flash Flooding and Rapid Response Catchments
Flash flooding is rare but can be very dangerous, and most flash floods happen in the summer.
Across Wessex, a number catchments are designated as ‘Rapid Response Catchments’, because their geography puts them at higher risk of rapid onset flooding. We aim to reach out to these communities regularly to raise awareness about flash flooding. However, dangerous and sudden flooding can happen anywhere, given the right weather conditions, and not just in these areas of higher risk. Over the past few years, we have seen flash flooding occur in a number of places in Wessex.
There are natural and human-made features that can put an area at higher risk of flash flooding, including:
Climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events such as flash flooding happening, and most major flash floods occur in places where there hasn’t been a big flood in living memory. Flash flooding can happen so quickly that a warning isn’t able to be issued, so it’s important that you know what to do and how to stay safe.
Flash flooding can happen suddenly with no warning. Some of the signs include:
Flash flooding can be very unexpected. You may need to act quickly, before a warning is given, and before the emergency services get to you. To make yourself safer during flash flooding, if it is safe, move to higher ground or the upper floor (storey) of a building. Call 999 if you are trapped or need emergency help.
Shallow flood water (around 15cm or 6 inches) that does not look dangerous can knock a person over or conceal hazards. It only takes around 60cm (2 feet) of water to carry away a vehicle of any size. Don’t walk or drive through the flood water, and don’t use flimsy or temporary structures like a tent or a caravan for shelter during flash flooding.
What can you do now?
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