Significant flooding hits Northamptonshire – check before you travel

Significant flooding has hit Northamptonshire overnight and a multi-agency response is now underway and working to support people affected by Storm Bert.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and Northamptonshire Police have received a very high number of calls overnight from people requesting help due to flooding, both in properties and on roads. These issues are quite widespread across the county, including particularly in Towcester, Weedon, Lower Harlestone and the St Andrews Road area of Northampton.

Billing Aquadrome flood sirens have sounded and the holiday park is being evacuated by the management with assistance from Northamptonshire Search and Rescue and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

West Northamptonshire Council is supporting Billing's evacuation plans by providing a rest centre at Lings Forum Leisure Centre for those displaced by the flooding. Their immediate welfare and accommodation needs will be assessed today by council teams who are also making welfare checks on vulnerable people across West Northants.

All the agencies including Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire fire and rescue service, West Northamptonshire Council, the Environment Agency are working together to coordinate their response.

The councils' highways teams are supporting emergency services with flooding incidents countywide, having so far received over 160 calls, predominantly relating to reports of flooding and fallen trees.

Road closures are in place across the county with some disruption to public transport including trains at Northampton. All the agencies including Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire fire and rescue service, West Northamptonshire Council, the Environment Agency are working together to coordinate their response.

The message from the agencies is to check the travel information before setting off, drive appropriately to the road conditions and be prepared to meet standing water on the roads – and if there is standing water, do not enter it or attempt to drive through it.

People across the county are asked to continue to follow the safety advice on our social media feeds, following the Environment Agency for flood alerts.

Flood reports can be submitted at:

West Northants: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/its-emergency/report-flood

North Northants: https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/flooding

You can report other highways issues to Street Doctor services:

• West Northants area: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/roads-and-paths-maintenance/report-potholes-or-highway-problem
• North Northants area: https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/report-potholes-or-highway-problem

Follow the Met Office for up-to-date weather reports and warnings where you live: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcr35qpbd#?date=2024-11-24

By only dialling 999 in an emergency where life is at risk, you're helping us prioritise helping those most in need. Thank you.

You can find advice on what to do during a flood at GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)