River Ash flood warning

A Flood Warning has been issued by the Environment Agency for the River Ash at Ashford and Staines-upon-Thames including Birch Green, Knowle Green, Littleton and Shepperton. Immediate action is required. Flooding is expected to affect between 50 and 500 properties in this area.

Flood plan checklist

Keep a list of useful numbers to hand: 

• the emergency services
• your insurance company
• Environment Agency Floodline - 0345 988 1188
• Spelthorne Borough Council - 01784 451499 - 7.30am-6pm Monday to Thursday and 5pm Friday
• Spelthorne Borough Council out of hours emergency - 01932 425060 (as we are in a partnership with Safer Runnymede)

If your property is threatened

• make up a flood kit to include a torch, blankets, waterproof clothing, Wellington boots, a portable radio, first aid kit, rubber gloves and key personal documents. Keep it upstairs if possible.
• think about medication.In the event of a flood, you will still need to take it.
• ensure that elderly and vulnerable neighbours, friends or relatives in the area are aware of the danger.
• make sure you know where to turn off your gas and electricity.
• try to protect your property use pillowcases or bin liners filled with earth or sand.
• portable toilets are not currently being distributed in some areas due to possible public health risk. Spelthorne Council is working with Surrey County Council on a case by case basis. If your toilet is not working and you need a portable toilet, call Customer Services on 01784 451499 who will take further details.
• what about your pets? Where will you move them to if a flood is on the way?
• think about your car. Where can you move it to? We are providing free car parking in certain car parks.
• store valuable or sentimental personal belongings upstairs or in a high place downstairs.
• do not let children play in flood water - it may be contaminated.
• sewer flooding: for urgent sewer-related matters, call the Thames Water 24-hour Customer Services team on 0845 9200 800.
• if you are forced to leave your property, try to make arrangements for temporary accommodation with friends and family where possible. If you are not able to do so please contact the Council on 01784 451499 and we will help you.

If your property is flooding and you feel unsafe or you are trapped in your home, call the Fire Service on 999.

General precautions

Flood water is inherently dangerous particularly where there is moving water. Please:

• keep children and vulnerable people out of floodwater.
• wash your hands thoroughly if you touch floodwater as it can carry raw sewage, dangerous chemicals and disease.
• avoid walking or driving through flood water - six inches can knock you off your feet, and just a foot of flowing water can move a car.
• where you have to go through any standing water do so very slowly so as not to cause flooding problems to adjoining properties by waves and spray
• don't walk along flooded riverbanks.
• take care or avoid crossing bridges when water levels are high.
• take care crossing culverts as they are dangerous when flooded.
• look out for other hazards such as fallen power lines and trees.

Health precautions

Floods can cause contamination and health risks. For further advice to keep yourself healthy if affected by the floods please view:
www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/EmergencyResponse/ExtremeWeatherEventsAndNaturalDisasters/EffectsOfFlooding/

Road closures

• Caledonia Road, Stanwell
• Chertsey Bridge Road
• Chertsey Lane, Staines
• Chertsey Road, Shepperton
• Fordbridge Road, Sunbury
• Greenlands Road, Staines
• Hithermoor Road, Stanwell
• Laleham Road, Staines
• Leacroft, Staines
• Littleton Lane, Shepperton
• Priory Green, Staines
• Renfree Way, Shepperton
• Sheep Walk, Shepperton
• Staines Road, Chertsey
• Thames Side, Junction of Vicarage Road, Laleham
• Thames Street, Staines
• Walton Lane, Shepperton
• Walton Lane/Jessamy Road, Weybridge
• Wheatsheaf Lane, Staines

Dog walking

Because of the exceptional weather we are aware that residents are finding limited spaces to walk their dogs. Therefore, if residents wish to walk in our cemeteries they can and we will review the situation early next week. Please ensure you clear up after your dog.