Types of flooding in Kent

How you report a flood depends on the type of flooding it is:

Coastal flooding

Extreme weather conditions combined with high tides can cause sea levels to rise above normal, forcing sea water onto the land resulting in coastal flooding. The Environment Agency manages flood risk from the sea.

River flooding

Long periods of heavy rainfall can cause river levels to increase. As a result, rivers can overtop or burst their banks. River flooding can also occur if a river gets blocked by obstructions such as fallen trees or rubbish.

The Environment Agency manages flood risk from main rivers (main rivers are identified on the Environment Agency Flood Map).

Borough and District councils have powers for managing flood risk from ordinary watercourses, except for those within areas managed by the internal drainage boards. An ordinary watercourse is any river, stream or channel which is not identified on the Environment Agency Flood Map as a main river.

Surface water flooding

Flooding from surface water is caused when rainfall exceeds the capacity of the land or drainage systems.  Surface water flooding can be difficult to predict as it is dependent on ground levels, rainfall, and the local drainage network. We are responsible for flooding on the highway or as a result of water from the highway.

Groundwater flooding

Groundwater flooding can occur when water levels underneath the ground rise above normal levels approaching the surface. It is usually caused by long periods of heavy rainfall. Groundwater flooding should be reported to the Environment Agency.

Sewer flooding

Sewer flooding may result from a failure in the sewer system. It may also happen when there is not enough capacity to take water entering the system. Sewerage undertakers (Southern Water and Thames Water) are responsible for flooding from public sewers.