Flood warnings
Flood warning information (new
window) and updates on the current flooding
situation can be found on the Environment Agency
website. Basic flood warnings are also displayed on ITV Teletext
page 159, BBC Ceefax page 419 and Digital Ceefax page 405.
If you are in a flood risk area you can sign up for
Floodline Warnings Direct, a free service provided
by the Environment Agency that provides flood warnings direct to
you by telephone, mobile, email, SMS text message and fax. You can
sign up to Floodline Warnings Direct online (new
window) or by calling the Environment Agency's Floodline on
0845 988 1188.
Simple advice on what to do, before, during and after a flood is
also available from Floodline on 0845 988
1188.
Weather and tide information
Predicted tide levels for our coast are available
from the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL) website
(new window). Data is given
for Felixstowe (new window) or
Lowestoft (new window). Please note that these
are only predicted levels and that the actual height of tides will
be affected by the weather conditions on the day - for example
which way the wind is blowing.
Follow this link for weather and tide information from BBC
Weather.
Preparing for flooding and what to do during a flood
If you know that you live in an area that is liable to flood,
Don't wait until it happens. Prepare, make plans
and discuss with your family what you will do and where to go,
before a flood happens. Follow these links for more information
about preparing for flooding and
what to do during a flood.
Sandbags
Local authorities are not required to provide materials for
flood protection but Suffolk Coastal will supply filled
sandbags as an emergency measure to those communities (not
individuals) who are likely to be at risk during an officially
declared flood warning. The likelihood of risk generally being
derived from a previous history of flooding under such
circumstances in that area.
In special cases filled sandbags may be supplied to individuals
where their home is in imminent danger of being flooded. Follow the
link below to read the Council's sandbag policy in full.
Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF files.
Sandbags are effective in diverting shallow flowing water that
has somewhere else to go, or deflecting waves caused in shallow
water by passing vehicles. However, they are not waterproof and
will not keep floods out of buildings where the water level outside
is higher than the doorstep or any airbricks. Removable flood
boards are a much more effective and convenient means of preventing
water entry to doors and airbricks, and can be fitted by any
reputable local builder.
Empty sandbags are available on sale from Suffolk
Coastal's Tourist Information Centres at Aldeburgh,
Felixstowe and Woodbridge and at the Suffolk Coastal
Services depot in Yarmouth Road, Ufford IP13 6ET. These bags
are light, and easy to store for future use. You can buy sand to
fill them from builders merchants, or garden soil can be used in an
emergency. If stored for future use, empty bags will last longer as
they do not suffer from rot caused by damp sand.
Food safety advice
If you have been affected by flooding, either because your home
has been flooded, or your water supply has been cut off,
read our tips on how to prepare food safely and
what to do with garden produce.
If you run a food business there are some
safety precautions you need to take if your
business has been affected by
flooding.