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Report flooding

Depending on the type of flooding, you will need to let different people know.

Motorways and trunk roads

National Highways is responsible for motorways and some A roads (trunk roads) in Kent. Contact them for flooding issues on these roads.

Local roads

We are responsible for maintaining and fixing drainage in Kent. As well as managing surface water during moderate to heavy rainfall on the highways.

To look after the 250,000 road drains in Kent and associated drainage systems we:

  • inspect
  • maintain
  • improve
  • set standards.

We also respond to floods, where water on the road is dangerous. Or, it is causing internal property flooding.

Report a flood

If the flood is not dangerous you can report it to us online.

We will unblock drains that are not causing dangerous flooding. This is will actioned as part of our scheduled cleaning work.

Report a road or drain flood

Dangerous floods

If the flood may cause immediate injury or death, or is putting homes at risk call:

Support from us

We are responsible for coordinating the management of flood risks from:

We are the lead local flood authority and will investigate the causes of flooding. We will also reduce the risk of flooding; by working with:

  • other agencies
  • town and parish councils
  • local communities.

However, this does not mean we can or will undertake work to fix a flooding issue. Find out how we look after our drains.

Complete our online survey to let us know how we dealt with the report. For those who require a paper survey to complete, please email flood@kent.gov.uk.

Help from district and borough councils

Coastal district and borough councils have powers to prevent erosion and flooding. They are also are responsible for the management of coastal defences. They will work with us and other risk management authorities to make sure any risks to or from any new developments are managed. This will be part of the planning process.

They may be able to supply sandbags to residents in vulnerable conditions. However, sandbags are limited. They cannot guarantee to arrive in time. They also may not able to bring enough of them to prevent or reduce damage.

You can buy sandbags and sand at local builders merchants or larger DIY stores.

Help from town and parish councils

Town and parish councils alongside the community play an important role in managing local flood risks. They can help to gather information when flooding occurs and report incidents.

Communities at risk of flooding can prepare an emergency plan. The plan should identify:

  • the action that needs to be taken before, during and after flooding
  • important information for residents
  • support for vulnerable people and arrangement with the authorities.

Sewer flooding is the responsibility of your water or sewerage company.

Find your water and sewerage company

Private drains are the responsibility of the homeowner or occupier.

Your local water company or drainage contractors will fix the damage for a fee.

Flooding from a burst water main is the responsibility of your water and sewerage company.

Find your water and sewerage company

Main rivers or the sea

The Environment Agency manages flood risk on main rivers in Kent. They also regulate reservoir safety and provide flood risk warnings.

Call the Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 to report flooding from a main river or the sea.

Sign up for flood warnings

Other rivers, streams and ditches

Rivers, streams and ditches that are not main rivers are the responsibility of the landowner to maintain.

Read about landowners' responsibilities for the maintenance of rivers, streams and ditches (PDF, 48.6 KB).

If there is a problem with a river, stream, ditch or drain contact us or report it to the internal drainage board:

Any flood damage in a home is the responsibility of the homeowner or occupier.

If a flood is putting homes at risk, call us on 03000 41 81 81.

Find out more about how you can prepare your home for flooding.

You are a riparian owner if you own land or property where a watercourse runs through or adjacent. You are also a riparian owner if a watercourse in a culvert runs under your property. You must take water from your upstream neighbour. You must then send this water, along with their drainage, downstream.

If a stream lies between two or more properties, we presume each owner is equally responsible.

Find out more about maintaining a watercourse.