Flooding and heavy rain

When heavy rain is forecast it is important to be ready for flooding.

That includes knowing what to do:

• before it rains and flooding occurs
• during a flood
• after a flood

When a flood does happen we work with other agencies to keep you safe and help reduce its impact.

If you believe flooding poses a threat to life:

• call 999

What to do before a flood

Long before it rains or flooding occurs there are steps you can take to prepare.

To see if your home or business is at risk:

• check if you are at risk from flooding

If you are at risk:

• sign up for free flood warnings

Then learn about:

• managing your flood risk
• how to plan ahead for flooding
• preparing your business for flooding
• groundwater flooding

As part of this you should:

• create a personal flood plan

You should also speak to neighbours and may want to:

• create a flood plan for your community

What to do during a flood

The Government offers an online service to:

• check for flooding in your area

For advice on flooding, at any time of the day or night:

• call Floodline on 0345 988 1188

Who you need to contact about a flood may depend on:

• where flood water is coming from
• where it is causing a problem

For general advice on dealing with flooding see:

• how to get help during a flood on Gov.uk
• what to do during a flood on the National Flood Forum

Roads

For floods on the A1 and A69:

• report a problem using the National Highways online help centre

• call 0300 123 5000

For all other roads in Newcastle:

• report a blocked gully online

• call 0191 278 7878 and ask for highways

Rivers and streams

For flooding from the River Tyne or the Ouseburn:

• call the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60

Other rivers and streams are the responsibility of the home or landowner.    

Sewers and water pipes

On your property you are responsible for:

• overflowing sewers or drains
• water pipes
• internal pipes

If they cause flooding you should:

• contact a plumber or drainage contractor

For sewer leaks and burst water mains on public land contact Northumbrian Water.

To report burst water mains:

• report a burst water main on the Northumbria Water website  
• call 0800 393 084

To report a sewer leak:

• report a sewer leak on the Northumbria Water website
• call 0800 328 7648

If you are unsure if it is a private or public sewer causing a flood, contact Northumbrian Water.

What do after a flood

After a flood, the Government website has advice on:

• what happens after a flood
• how to recover
• how to clean up your home or business safely

You should, once you have dealt with the immediate effects of flooding, plan for the future.

Find out how to:

• protect yourself from future flooding
• take five steps to flood resilience

 

For general non-emergency advice contact our Flood Management Team. To do so:

• call 0191 278 7878 ask for Flood Management or email  flood.management@newcastle.gov.uk.   (We aim to respond to emails within 28 days. )