Flooding: Joint agency update
Flooding26 September 2024
Agencies across Northamptonshire are working together to ensure a joint response is in place to protect residents as more severe weather is expected overnight.
The county is expected to have significant rainfall overnight with the Met Office issuing an amber warning for heavy rain across central parts of England, including Northamptonshire, this evening (September 26) until 6am tomorrow.
The additional rainfall is expected to increase the risk of flooding in areas where water levels are already high. Flood warnings and flood alerts are in place across Northamptonshire, and people can continue to keep an eye on flood warnings that are currently in place online.
Agencies including Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service, Northamptonshire Police, the Environment Agency and West and North Northamptonshire councils have been co-ordinating throughout the week to ensure that appropriate response plans are in place to deal with flood risks.
Partners are ensuring that appropriate resources are in place, with the councils’ highways teams on standby to support emergency services with any flooding incidents.
All people evacuated from Billing Aquadrome that were staying at the rest centre at Lings Forum Leisure Centre have now been provided with alternative temporary accommodation by West Northamptonshire Council.
Residents countywide are being urged to follow safety advice, stay aware of roads that may be flooded and keep listening to alerts and advice from emergency services, the local authorities and the Environment Agency.
Businesses who think they may be affected can follow a checklist from the Environment Agency to best prepare in the event of a flood.
Residents are also urged to avoid any unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain, and should consider the following:
- Do not ignore road closure signs.
- Never attempt to cross or drive through floodwater if you don’t know how deep the water is - just two feet of water will float a car.
- Never try to swim through fast flowing water or floodwater – you may get swept away or be injured by an object in the water.
- Don’t assume fords are safe to cross just because the road is not closed. Always look at the river level gauge and use your common sense.
Further information and guidance on flooding is available on our website.