Update and Information: Flooding across North Northamptonshire 4pm, Thursday 3 October
03 October 2024
The amount of rainfall we have experienced across North Northamptonshire and across the country is significantly higher than typically anticipated. We would like to reassure residents that agencies across Northamptonshire are working together to ensure a joint response is in place to protect them.
During flooding, local partners work together to provide emergency support and help where needed. Agencies including Northamptonshire Fire and 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.
North Northamptonshire Council is also working closely with Anglian Water to ensure all drains are working effectively and being fixed where required and with our partner Kier to ensure our highways are clear and safe.
Please find the updates today at 4pm.
We have now been able to open the two roads below:
- Earls Barton, Station Rd - White Mills Marina
- Great Doddington, Hardwater Road
Road closures due to flooding:
- Tansor, Main Street turn to Fotheringhay to into Fotheringhay to Yarwell turn
- Ashton Wold, Tansor Road jnc A605 to Tansor T jnc
- Aldwincle, Thorpe Road
Waste collection affected due to flooding:
- Yarwell, Fotheringhay and Cotterstock
Drains
We are working with Anglian Water.
Weather Forecast
Check the weather in your area.
Report or prepare for a flood
Please visit the councils flooding pages if you would like to report a flood or find out more about how you can prepare for one happening to your home or business.
- check the flooding live map
- sign up for live flood warnings and alerts near you
- what to do before or during a flood
Evacuating your home
If you need to evacuate your home in the event of an emergency then:
- listen and comply with instructions from the emergency services
- account for all family members
- get your pets together with leads, cages, etc
- take any important items you may need with you, such as mobile phone, credit cards, medication, ID, household insurance documents
- get your ready bag/emergency kit
- find out, where safe to do so, if neighbours need any assistance
It is a good idea to consider now where you might go in case you are asked to evacuate your home.
- Check your home insurance policy as some providers cover for alternative accommodation.
- You may want to go to a relative or friend who lives outside the evacuation area instead.
- If lots of people have to leave their homes at the same time then the local authority may provide temporary emergency accommodation in temporary rest centres. The focus initially will be on vulnerable people.
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
Public health risks of stagnant water after flooding
Infection problems arising from floods in this country are rare. Usually, any harmful bugs in floodwater become very diluted and present a low risk.
However, stagnant water, water which is not flowing, can sometimes pose risks as it can harbour harmful bacteria and other microorganisms, including viruses, parasites, and fungi. These microorganisms can cause gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain if ingested or come into contact with the skin.
There are a few precautions to be aware of when dealing with flooding water which should prevent unnecessary additional health problems. Providing that you adopt normal basic hygiene precautions and follow the instructions on this page, you are unlikely to be at any increased health risk:
- wherever possible, try to avoid coming into direct contact with flowing or standing floodwater. If you have to go into the water, wear waterproof gloves and rubber boots, and remember to be careful of potentially concealed hazards
- wash your hands - this is the most important way to get rid of harmful bugs. Use warm, clean water and soap, then rinse and dry your hands after going to the toilet, before eating or preparing food, after being in contact with floodwater, sewage or with items that have been in the water. Use cold water to wash if warm is not available. If there is no clean water, use disposable soapy, wet wipes or sanitising gel to carefully clean all parts of your hands and dry them. Wash them thoroughly with warm, soapy water as soon as possible
- keep open cuts or sores clean and use waterproof plasters to prevent them being exposed to floodwater
- do not eat any food that has been in contact with floodwater or sewage
- do not allow children to play in floodwater areas
- do wash children’s hands frequently – particularly after playing outdoors and always before meals
- do seek medical advice, as under normal circumstances, if infants are unwell with diarrhoea, fever or abdominal pain
- do wash floodwater-contaminated toys with hot water and detergent before allowing them to be used. For soft toys, put them in a hot (60°C) machine wash, along with any other affected fabric items
- wash clothes that have come into contact with floodwater on a separate cycle from other clothes.
In the unlikely event of you feeling unwell, we recommend you visit your GP as a precautionary measure and explain that your property has recently been flooded.
Health risks to pets
Infections in pets during and after periods of flooding in this country are also very rare and usually any harmful bacteria in floodwater become very diluted and present a low risk.
However, swallowing floodwater, mud or, most importantly, rubbish/foreign materials that have been brought into the garden by the flood waters, can cause stomach upsets or diarrhoea.
- There are a few precautions to be aware of which should prevent health problems:
- avoid direct contact with floodwater and prevent your pet from drinking flood water (running or standing water). If there is still a significant amount of water in the environment, keep your dog on a lead or limit access to the garden and public land as much as possible until the water has receded
- keep pets out of the affected area until clean-up has been completed - ensure that you remove all obvious signs of contamination and any accumulated rubbish once the flood water has receded before allowing your pet free/unsupervised access to the garden
- clean away mud and dry your pet well after outdoor access and wash your own and your children’s hands frequently when handling a pet that has been outdoors
- ensure your pets vaccination and deworming is up to date. Contact your local vet if you need advice and more information
Further information and guidance on flooding is available.